Chipotle Chile Mac and Cheese

Name: Chipotle Chile Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 pkg. macaroni and sharp cheese dinner; 1 lb. lean ground beef; 1 onion, finely chopped; 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped; 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced; 4 green onions, thinly sliced; ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese; 6 RITZ Crackers, coarsely crushed (about 1/4 cup)

Ready to add a little spice to plain old mac and cheese? Make a great entrée by adding ground beef, chipotle pepper and extra cheese to a boxed macaroni dinner.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 min

Makes 6 servings, about 1 cup each.

Ingredient list

1 pkg. (14 oz.) macaroni and sharp cheese dinner
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 RITZ Crackers, coarsely crushed (about 1/4 cup)

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Prepare Dinner as directed on package. Meanwhile, brown beef with onion and bell pepper in large skillet over medium-high heat 5 min. Drain.

Add meat mixture to prepared Dinner and stir in chipotle pepper. Spoon into greased 2-qt. casserole or baking dish. Top with green onions, cheese and cracker crumbs.

Bake 15 min. or until mixture is hot.

Recipe Tips

SubstitutePrepare using extra-lean ground beef and shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
Take AlongMake your macaroni and cheese casserole in a disposable foil pan so you can enjoy while tailgating! Just heat on a covered grill on low heat until mixture is golden and heated through.
TipFor additional heat, increase to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.