Southwesternpastacheese Recipes

SOUTHWEST CHEESE AND PASTA

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except cheese in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 10 to 14 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender.
• Add cheese; stir until melted.

EASY 30-MINUTE SOUTHWESTERN BEEF SKILLET

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set pasta aside.
• Preheat broiler to high.
• To a very large oven-safe skillet, add the olive oil, ground beef, onions, and cook over medium-high heat to brown the beef, crumbling it with a spatula as it cooks and stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or as necessary until beef is cooked through and onions are soft.
• Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir frequently.
• Add the black beans, tomatoes, green chiles, green onions, taco seasoning, pepper, and stir to combine.
• Add the pasta and stir to combine.
• Evenly sprinkle with the cheese, optionally add jalapeno slices, and place skillet under the broiler until the cheese has melted and is bubbling, about 1 to 2 minutes. If desired, allow cheese to brown slightly, or to taste. Keep a very careful eye on your skillet and the cheese because broilers can burn things in a matter of seconds.
• Evenly sprinkle with the reserved 2 tablespoons green onions, cilantro, and serve immediately. Recipe is best warm and fresh, but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 4 months.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA

Steps:

• You will also need: Large casserole dish and a large baking sheet

SOUTHWESTERN SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• In a blender, combine tomatoes, onion flakes, garlic powder, bouillon cube, and jalapeno. Process until smooth. Transfer mixture to a saucepan and set pan over medium-high heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper.
• Transfer spaghetti to a serving platter and top with sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan over top.
• Serve with garlic bread from the freezer section, cooked according to package directions.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high and position the rack 8 inches from the heat.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil; salt the boiling water and cook the pasta until slightly undercooked-a little chewy at the center.
• While the water is coming to a boil, preheat a large skillet over med-high heat with the vegetable oil.
• Season the chicken with cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and pepper; add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Add in the onions, garlic, and jalapeno peppers; continue to cook 5 minutes.
• While the chicken is cooking with the onions, make the cheddar sauce.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour to it.
• Cook 1-2 minutes over medium heat, then whisk in the milk.
• When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in the cheese, cilantro, and parsley with a wooden spoon.
• Season with a little salt and pepper; remove cheese sauce from heat.
• Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add back into the large pot.
• Add in the contents of the chicken skillet and all the cheddar sauce; stir to combine.
• Transfer mixture to a baking dish and place under the broiler to lightly brown.

SPICY SOUTHWESTERN PASTA

Steps:

• Brown onions and garlic in large skillet over medium heat, using a little water or a small amount of oil.
• Add crushed tomatoes, cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano and pepper flakes.
• Mix well and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and cook, covered for about 15 minutes.
• Add green chiles, red peppers, beans and corn. Mix well and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Remove 1/2 cup of the mixture from the pan, mix it with the sour cream and then add this mixture back into the pan and mix well.
• To serve, place 1 cup of cooked pasta on each plate and top each serving with about 1 cup of the sauce.
• Top with 3 tablespoons of the grated cheese.
• I often combine the last steps and mix 2 or 3 cups of cooked pasta and the cheese right in with the sauce and serve the whole meal right out of the skillet.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
• Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
• To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.