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Tex-Mex Macaroni and Cheese
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Prep Time:
50 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour 15 minutes
Spiced beef mac and cheese casserole - a delicious twist on the classic comfort food.
Ingredients:
  • 3 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta (12 oz)
  • 1 lb extra lean (at least 90%) ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped poblano chiles
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 packet (1 oz) Old El Paso™ Original Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 3/4 cups milk
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese (6 oz)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
  • 1/2 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Prepare pasta according to package instructions.
  • In a 5-quart Dutch oven, brown the beef over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often; drain and set aside. Add bell pepper, poblano chiles, and onion to the Dutch oven; cook for 6 to 7 minutes until onions begin to soften. Stir in beef, taco seasoning mix, and water; bring to a simmer. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
  • In a 4-cup glass measuring cup, combine milk and cream. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven over low heat. Whisk in flour and salt until smooth. Increase heat to medium-high; cook and stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually whisk in the milk mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute, then reduce heat to medium. Add cheeses and cook until melted, stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta until coated with the cheese sauce. Remove from heat and pour half of the pasta mixture into a baking dish. Top with meat mixture, then the remaining pasta mixture.
  • Bake until the edges are bubbly, about 20-25 minutes.
  • In an 8-inch nonstick skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and toast for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly until they turn golden brown. Sprinkle this over the pasta mixture and garnish with cilantro.

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