Zesty Mac And Cheese Recipes

ZESTY MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni as directed on package, omitting salt. Drain.
• Microwave VELVEETA and tomatoes in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min. Stir in milk.
• Add macaroni to VELVEETA sauce; stir to evenly coat.

SUPER SPICY MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the crushed red pepper, jalapeno, garlic and onion and cook, stirring, until the veggies have softened, about 5 minutes. Add the milk and heat until starting to bubble around the edges. Add the processed cheese and stir until melted. Add the Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheeses, pepper, kosher salt, seasoned salt and hot sauce to taste. Stir until the cheese is melted. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a splash of milk if the sauce seems too thick. Fold in the cooked macaroni and serve.
• Reheating instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the mac and cheese in a baking dish, cover with foil and heat until warmed through, about 25 minutes.

ZESTY MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni according to package directions, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, combine undrained tomatoes and cheese in 1-1/2-quart microwavable dish; cover. Microwave on MEDIUM (50%) 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese melts, stirring after 6 minutes. Add milk; stir mixture until well blended.
• Drain macaroni; place in large bowl. Add cheese mixture; toss to coat.

SPICY MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss together the pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into the baking dish.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg. Add the sour cream, egg, heavy cream, half-and-half and onions. Pour over the pasta and cover with the shredded Cheddar. Bake uncovered until the top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-size squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, add the bread cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread, and toss. Set breadcrumbs aside.
• In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking, 1 minute.
• While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
• Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Pecorino Romano; set cheese sauce aside.
• Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce
• Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano, and breadcrumbs over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes; serve hot.

ZESTY SLOW COOKER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Place macaroni and cheeses into a lightly greased slow cooker.
• Stir in soup until coated well; add onion and salsa, if using.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours; stir every hour.

ZESTY CHEESEBURGER MAC CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Place frozen vegetables in colander in sink. Cook Macaroni as directed on package. Meanwhile, brown ground beef.
• Drain meat. Pour cooked macaroni over vegetables in colander to drain and quickly thaw vegetables. Return macaroni and vegetables to saucepan. Add Cheese Sauce, milk and dressing; mix well. Add meat and 1/2 cup shredded cheese; mix well. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; cover.
• Bake 35 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining shredded cheese; bake, uncovered, 3 to 4 min. or until melted.

ZESTY MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Microwaveable Cup as directed on package. Stir in salsa; top with sour cream.

HOMEMADE SPICY MAC AND CHEESE WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with jalapeno, tomato bisque, and green chilies together in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and let simmer.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and place into the bottom of a casserole dish.
• Pour tomato sauce over pasta and stir in 1/2 Colby-Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 pepper Jack cheese. Top with remaining 1/2 Colby-Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 pepper Jack cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese begins to brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.