Tag: pasta

TexMex Mac and Cheese

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This macaroni and cheese casserole is kid friendly and feeds a crowd in about 45 minutes INCLUDING prep time. Change out the kind of cheese, the spices or the veg to make it your own.

Ingredients

  • 1lb dry macaroni
  • Salt (for pasta water)
  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1 tsp canola oil
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2-3 medium tomatoes, diced OR can of diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups + 1 cup old cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 green onions

Method

  1. Preheat broiler to 400F.
  2. Put on a large pot of salted water and cook macaroni according to package directions.
  3. Meanwhile, brown the beef in oil with the taco seasoning.
  4. Once browned, turn heat down to medium and add onions, black beans, and tomatoes until cooked through.
  5. Make a cheese sauce! Melt 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat.
  6. Add milk and flour to a leakproof container and shake it until there are no lumps. (Bubbles are okay.)
  7. Whisk the milk and flour mixture into the butter.
  8. Keep whisking and add the 2 cups of cheese a little at a time until smooth.
  9. Mix the macaroni, beef mixture, and cheese sauce together in a bowl.
  10. Grease a 9”x13” baking dish with butter.
  11. Spread in macaroni mix as evenly as possible and then top with 1 cup cheese and the green onions.
  12. Put in the oven for 5 minutes or so until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  13. Let rest for 5 minutes and serve.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

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Fettuccine Alfredo actually is from Italy, but it’s not popular and hard to find. It’s way more common in North America. Simple dishes taste better with quality ingredients, but it’s still tasty on the cheap.

Ingredients

  • Salt (for water and seasoning)
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp olive/canola oil OR butter
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/4 cups whipping cream
  • 3 tbsp fresh parsley OR oregano OR basil

Method

  1. Boil a big pot of salted water.
  2. Cook pasta. Once done, drain (reserving some pasta water) and return to the pot.
  3. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and then toss with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
  4. Cook chicken in oil or butter until cooked through and browned.
  5. Heat butter in a small pot over medium low heat.
  6. Add cream and cheese, bring to a boil while stirring continuously.
  7. Turn down heat and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
  8. If sauce is too thin, add more cheese. If it’s too thick, add some pasta water a little at a time.
  9. Add parsley or oregano or basil.
  10. Pour sauce over the pasta, add the chicken, and stir to combine.
  11. Serve and garnish with extra cheese and herbs if you want to be fancy.