Enchilada Casserole

Jennifer S.

1 package of Fritos
3/4 pound of ground beef, crumbled and fried
8 ounces of cheddar cheese, cut up
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cans of enchilada sauce

Put layer of crumbled fritos in bottom of dish, put layer of cheddar cheese, layer of onion, layer of beef. Repeat. Cover with enchilada sauce. Bake in 350ºF. oven for about 30 minutes.

Potato and Cheddar-Cheese Soup

Jennifer S.

For a chunkier soup, skip the pureeing and just break up some of the potato with a spoon.*

1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
1 large onion, chopped
3 pounds baking potatoes (about 6), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
4-1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
6 ounces cheddar, grated (about 1-1/2 cups)
1/4 cup chopped chives or scallion tops

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat or, if you don't have 2 tablespoons, add enough cooking oil to make up the amount. Reduce the heat to moderately low.
Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, water, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

*Remove half the soup from the pan and puree in a food processor. Alternatively, mash some of the potatoes with a potato masher. Return the puree to the pan. Over low heat, add the cheese and stir until melted. Remove the pan from the heat. Taste the soup and add more salt if needed and pepper to taste. Serve the soup topped with the bacon and chives.

Healthy Mac

Jennifer S.

3 tablespoons plain dry breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 16-ounce or 10-ounce package frozen spinach
1 3/4 cups 1% milk, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
1 cup low-fat (1%) cottage cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
8 ounces (2 cups) whole-wheat elbow macaroni or penne

1. Put a large pot of lightly salted water on to boil. Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat an 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Mix breadcrumbs, oil and paprika in a small bowl. Cook spinach according to package directions. Drain and refresh under cold water; press out excess moisture.
3. Heat 1 1/2 cups milk in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until steaming. Whisk remaining 1/4 cup milk and flour in a small bowl until smooth; add to the hot milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce simmers and thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Cheddar until melted. Stir in cottage cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
4. Cook pasta for 4 minutes, or until not quite tender. (It will continue to cook during baking). Drain and add to the cheese sauce; mix well. Spread half the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the spinach on top. Top with the remaining pasta; sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.
5. Bake the casserole until bubbly and golden, 25 to 30 minutes.

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, if necessary, then bake for 35 to 45 minutes

Southwestern Pasta

Jessica S.

16 oz. Penne
1 can(14.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 TBS vegetable oil
1 med onion chopped
1/2 cup chunk-style salsa
1 tsp chili powder
1 can (4 oz) green chilies,
1 tsp cumin drained
1 tsp coriander
1 tomato chopped
1 lb. ground beef
1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn, rinsed and drained
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile heat oil in large pot/dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, chili powder, cumin, and coriander and saute for 3 minutes, until soft. Add meat and brown- about 8 minutes. Drain pasta and stir into pot along with corn, beans, salsa, chilies, cheese, and tomato. Serve with cilantro and sour cream. serves 4-6

"Healthified" Macaroni and Cheese

Jennifer S.

59% less fat • 54% less sat fat • 24% fewer calories than the original recipe.

2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni (8 oz)
2 cups fat-free (skim) milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 cups shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

1. In 3-quart saucepan, cook and drain macaroni as directed on package. Return to saucepan; cover to keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 2-quart saucepan, stir milk, flour, mustard, salt, black pepper and red pepper with wire whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted.
3. Add cheese sauce to cooked macaroni; mix well. Spoon into baking dish.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

Mac 'n Cheese Shells with Sausage

Jennifer S.

3 cups chicken broth
2 cups uncooked small pasta shells (8 oz)
1 1/2 cups frozen baby sweet peas
1/2 lb smoked sausage, cut in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups shredded American-Cheddar cheese blend (8 oz)
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, if desired

1. In 3-quart saucepan, heat broth to boiling over medium-high heat. Add pasta shells; heat to boiling. Boil 6 minutes; do not drain. Reduce heat. Stir in peas and sausage. Cover; simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until shells are tender. Remove from heat.
2. Add shredded cheese; toss gently until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Mexican Pasta Skillet

Jennifer S.

1 lb extra-lean ground beef
1/2 cup onion, minced
16 oz mild salsa
1 cup tomato sauce (from 15-oz can)
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups uncooked regular or multigrain elbow macaroni
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

In 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain.
Stir in salsa, tomato sauce and water. Heat to boiling. Stir in macaroni, corn and beans. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender.
Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Hard Rock Cafe Twisted Mac n Cheese

Ingredients
• 2 cup cavatappi pasta
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 4 ounce velveeta
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, ground
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced and roasted
• 2 teaspoon seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon parsley, minced
Instructions
1. Use a large saucepan to cook pasta following the directions on the package, then drain
2. Combine milk, velveeta, cheddar cheese, jack cheese, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in the
same saucepan, and heat over low heat for about 10 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Add pasta and roasted pepper to the pan, and then toss to coat pasta.
3. Combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan and parsley in small bowl.
4. Pour pasta into a serving bowl and then sprinkle parmesan breadcrumbs over the top.

Baked Mac & Cheese

Kristi L.

1 pkg. (8oz) elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk
8 oz. Cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook macaroni as package label directs; drain.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan; remove from heat. Stir in flour, salt & pepper till smooth. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boiling, stirring. Reduce heat. Simmer mixture 1 minute. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and macaroni. Pour into a 1 1/2 quart casserole and sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.
5. Eat it with happiness.