Are you prepared to vary up your basic mac and cheese recipe? In that case, this creamy King Ranch Mac and Cheese recipe with hen is the right approach to do this!

Why You’ll Love My Simple King Ranch Mac and Cheese with Rooster

• The Excellent Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese! If you happen to’re a fan of Tex-Mex recipes, you’ll LOVE this macaroni and cheese. Impressed by King Ranch hen casserole, King Ranch Mac and Cheese with hen will blow your thoughts. It’s tacky, it’s creamy, and oh so satisfying.
• Make It Forward! This dinner thought is ideal to make forward and freeze. Which additionally means it’s a REALLY common dish, similar to my King Ranch Casserole recipe, to make to new mothers, or for anybody in want of a dinner.
• Taste! This home made mac and cheese is full of hen, peppers, diced tomatoes, two sorts of melty cheese, and extra. It’s a recipe that can shock you at how simple it’s and the way delcious!

What’s King Ranch Rooster?

King Ranch hen is a Texas-inspired recipe that’s cooked within the type of a casserole. It’s made up of cooked hen, tortillas, gooey cheese, creamy gravy, peppers, and many others. Nevertheless, whereas I like a superb casserole, why not take a superb factor and make it even higher by combining it with mac and cheese? So, that’s what we’re gonna do.

Recipe Elements

This King Ranch mac and cheese recipe has a few extra substances than your typical mac and cheese does:

• Pasta: I used cavatappi, however you’ll be able to substitute with one other pasta (one thing like rigatoni or elbow macaroni).
• Butter: Salted or unsalted – whichever you favor.
• Onion: You’ll want 1 medium yellow onion, diced.
• Pepper: I used a medium inexperienced bell pepper and a medium crimson bell pepper (each seeded and diced).
• Garlic: Minced.
• Diced Tomatoes: With inexperienced chilis, 1 (10- ounce) can.
• Ready Cheese: Cubed – one thing like Velveeta.
• Bitter Cream: So as to add further creaminess.
• Half and Half: A mix of milk and cream may work too should you don’t have any half and half.
• Seasoning: I used cumin and cayenne pepper.
• Cooked Rooster: I like to make use of shredded Rotisserie Rooster.
• Cheese: Grated cheddar cheese is finest.

The right way to Make King Ranch Mac and Cheese with Rooster

Mac and cheese is one in all my favourite weeknight dinners to make. Can one ever get sufficient tacky pasta? (The right reply: Nope!) There are basically six components to creating this meal:

Preheat Oven to 400°F: Then boil the pasta based on the bundle instructions and drain.

Sauté the Onion & Bell Peppers: Whereas the pasta is boiling, warmth a big skillet over medium warmth. Soften the butter within the skillet and sauté the onion and each bell peppers for 7- 8 minutes, till they’re tender. Add within the garlic and prepare dinner for another minute.

Mix with Tomatoes & Cheese: Add the diced tomatoes and prepare dinner till virtually the entire liquid has evaporated, 3- 4 minutes. Subsequent incorporate the cubed cheese into the combination and stir repeatedly till the cheese is melted.

Add Dairy & Rooster: Combine the bitter cream and half and half into the cheese combination, season with cumin and cayenne pepper and at last add within the hen.

Mix Pasta & Rooster Combination: In a 3- quart Dutch oven or baking dish mix the hen/cheese combination with the cooked pasta evenly.

TIP: In case your skillet that you simply began with is massive sufficient and oven protected, no must switch the combination into a bigger pan.

Add Grated Cheese & Bake: Sprinkle with the grated cheese and bake for 5- 10 minutes till the cheese is melted and the combination is bubbly. Serve instantly.

What Type of Cheese to Use

You’ll want two totally different sorts of cheese to make this mac and cheese. For the pasteurized ready cheese I often use Velveeta, however you may attempt Kraft as an alternative. As for the grated cheese that you simply sprinkle on prime, I usually persist with cheddar, however Monterey Jack may additionally work.

Variation Concepts

Are there different additions that may be made to this mac and cheese? In fact! Listed below are a couple of concepts:

• Prime with Breadcrumbs: Or crushed tortilla chips – one thing that can add further crunch to every chunk.
• Regulate the Warmth: If you happen to like your mac and cheese on the spicier facet you may add in somewhat chili powder.
• Different Add-Ins: Extra peppers (like jalapeños) may very well be good, or you may toss in bacon bits, as a result of they make every little thing higher!

Serving Ideas

If you happen to’re attempting to think about issues to serve with King Ranch mac and cheese, listed here are a few my go-to choices:

• Salad: A giant inexperienced salad at all times goes properly with this meal. I additionally love this Rainbow Crunch Salad with this recipe, the crunchiness contrasts splendidly with the creamy pasta.
• Greens: Sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, inexperienced beans, and many others. Whichever veggies are your favourite! I like this straightforward air fryer asparagus as a result of it’s prepared in minutes.
• Garlic Bread: If you happen to don’t thoughts a couple of further carbs, these Garlic Knots are an excellent facet to include into this dinner! This tacky stuffed garlic bread can be unimaginable with King Ranch mac & cheese.

The right way to Retailer and Reheat King Ranch Mac and Cheese

You’ll be able to retailer this mac and cheese in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.

If you need to reheat the leftovers I like to recommend placing them again within the oven – uncovered – for 20 or so minutes till the specified temperature is reached.

Can I Freeze Leftover Mac and Cheese with Rooster?

Undoubtedly! You’ll be able to freeze leftovers in an hermetic container for 1-2 months. Keep in mind to let the container thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than consuming the pasta once more.

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Extra Casserole Recipes to Attempt

Searching for simpler casseroles to make?