Best 7 Zesty Mac Cheese Recipes

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Welcome to the ultimate guide to creating a tantalizing zesty mac cheese dish that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. In this article, we'll take you on a culinary journey as we explore the art of crafting the perfect macaroni and cheese, infused with a burst of zesty flavors that will elevate this classic comfort food to new heights of deliciousness. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, we'll provide you with all the essential steps, expert tips, and ingredient recommendations to ensure your zesty mac cheese turns out perfectly cheesy, creamy, and bursting with flavor.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ZESTY MAC & CHEESE



Zesty Mac & Cheese image

Diced tomatoes and green chilies make this mac and cheese as colorful as it is zesty.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 pkg. (16 oz.) elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
1/2 cup milk

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni as directed on package, omitting salt. Drain.
  • Microwave VELVEETA and tomatoes in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min. Stir in milk.
  • Add macaroni to VELVEETA sauce; stir to evenly coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, TransFat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 730 mg, Carbohydrate 40 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 7 g, Protein 14 g

SPICY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Spicy Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups elbow pasta, cooked until almost al dente
8 ounces Cheddar, 1/2 cubed, 1/2 shredded
8 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
8 ounces Monterey pepper jack cheese, cubed
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup finely grated onions
4 slices bread
1 tablespoon butter
Special equipment: 2-quart baking dish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into the baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg. Add the sour cream, egg, heavy cream, half-and-half and onions. Pour over the pasta and cover with the shredded Cheddar. Bake uncovered until the top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-size squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, add the bread cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

MAC & CHEESE BY TERRY CREWS (MACK AND JEEZY) RECIPE BY TASTY



Mac & Cheese By Terry Crews (Mack And Jeezy) Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: elbow macaroni, cream-style cottage cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, egg, salt, coconut oil, paprika

Provided by Jody Duits

Categories     Sides

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 oz elbow macaroni, 1 package
2 cups cream-style cottage cheese, or small curd
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz sour cream, 1 carton
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon coconut oil
paprika, to garnish

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni "al dente" according to package directions. Drain with cold water.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, cheese, sour cream, egg, and salt. Fold in macaroni.
  • Grease a 2-quart (2 liters) casserole dish with coconut oil.
  • Spoon mixture into casserole dish and sprinkle with extra cheese and paprika.
  • Bake for 45 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 725 calories, Carbohydrate 50 grams, Fat 40 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 37 grams, Sugar 6 grams

ZESTY MAC AND CHEESE



Zesty Mac and Cheese image

Smooth and creamy macaroni and cheese with the spicy kick of Ro*Tel tomatoes Velveeta is a product of Kraft Foods Inc.

Provided by ROTEL

Categories     Macaroni And Cheese

Time 20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 (16 ounce) package dry elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 (10 ounce) can Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
1 (16 ounce) package Velveeta® Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup reduced-fat milk (2%)

Steps:

  • Prepare macaroni according to package directions, omitting salt.
  • Meanwhile, combine undrained tomatoes and cheese in 1-1/2-quart microwavable dish; cover. Microwave on MEDIUM (50%) 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese melts, stirring after 6 minutes. Add milk; stir mixture until well blended.
  • Drain macaroni; place in large bowl. Add cheese mixture; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.8, Fat 1.2, SaturatedFat 0.4, Cholesterol 1.2, Sodium 10.8, Carbohydrate 45.9, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 2.4, Protein 8.4

SPICY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Spicy Macaroni and Cheese image

From foodnetwork.com. This is the easiest way to make homemade mac and cheese that I've ever come across...in fact I've been altering all other mac and cheese recipes to reflect the method of prep in this recipe. I make this when I've got 15 minutes to throw together a meal (not including cooking time.) It doesn't hurt that this is a REALLY tasty macaroni recipe. Can be served as a side dish, but we're veggies so we usually eat it as the main dish. Hope you enjoy.

Provided by I Cook Therefore I

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups short pasta, cooked
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ounces monterey jack pepper cheese, cubed
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
4 slices bread
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, toss together pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into a greased 2qt oven safe baking dish.
  • In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg and sour cream, egg, heavy cream and half-and-half.
  • Pour the mixture over the pasta and cover with shredded Cheddar.
  • Bake uncovered at 350 degrees until top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes.
  • Cut the bread into crouton-sized squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter, add cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.
  • *Note: to make this even easier I just sprinkle dried breadcrumbs on top of the casserole and then spray it with pam and bake it for ten more minutes -- that trick right there will save you another 5-10 minutes ;).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1269.2, Fat 92.1, SaturatedFat 56.9, Cholesterol 339.2, Sodium 1563.3, Carbohydrate 55.5, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 3.1, Protein 55.4

ZESTY MAC 'N CHEESE



Zesty Mac 'N Cheese image

Putting the zesty in your mac and cheese is as easy as adding a bit of salsa and touch of sour cream.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 5m

Yield Makes 1 serving.

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 container (2.05 oz.) Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Microwaveable Cup
1 Tbsp. salsa
1 tsp. sour cream

Steps:

  • Heat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Microwaveable Cup as directed on package. Stir in salsa; top with sour cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Sodium 630 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 7 g

ZESTY MACARONI SOUP



Zesty Macaroni Soup image

The recipe for this thick, zippy soup first caught my attention for two reasons - it calls for ingredients that it can be prepared in a jiffy. A chili macaroni mix provides this dish with a little spice, but sometimes I jazz it up with a can of chopped green chilies. It's a family favorite. -Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 8-10 servings (about 2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
5 cups water
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (7 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, optional
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 package (7-1/2 ounces) chili macaroni dinner mix
Salsa con queso dip

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the water, beans, tomatoes, corn and chilies if desired. Stir in the mustard, salt, pepper and contents of macaroni sauce mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes., Stir in contents of macaroni packet. Cover and simmer 10-14 minutes longer or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally. Serve with salsa con queso dip.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215 calories, Fat 5g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 491mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or a milder cheese like Monterey Jack for a more subtle flavor.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is the best choice for mac and cheese. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and absorb too much of the cheese sauce.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. A roux will make your mac and cheese smooth and creamy.
  • Use milk or cream: Milk or cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream.
  • Add some extras: Feel free to add some extra ingredients to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, or chopped green onions.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. Whether you like it cheesy, gooey, or spicy, there is a mac and cheese recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try.

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