Go Bold with Liquid Gold

You and your family might love Mac & Cheese. It might be a staple of your family menu - your “go to” food when you want to make sure the kids eat something! But, are you and your kids getting bored with “the same old thing,” even if it is “Liquid Gold?”

And so the challenge is, just like in much of life, how do you reinvigorate something that has become all too normal and expected. In this case, it is the menu staple for many of us that is Macaroni and Cheeese! Now, you can give your menu a boost with a bold, spicy twist on your favorite comfort foods. Rich, creamy dishes featuring pasta and a kick of spicy heat will warm you up from the inside out. And yes, variety is the spice of life - literally! So, take the advice in this article to spice up you - and your family's - life with new twists on the everday Mac n' Cheese!

A traditional pasta and cheese is the perfect foundation for a delicious skillet dish, one-pot pleaser or casserole that blends familiar flavors with new ones to make an easy and complete weeknight dinner. Packaged options such as Velveeta Shells & Cheese can help shave preparation time, and with new bold Jalapeño and Chipotle flavors, you can bring the heat to a whole new level.

First however, let's cover the basics on cooking pasta. No cheesy pasta is complete unless it’s perfectly prepared. Follow these tips to get your pasta just right:

1. Use 4 to 6 quarts of water per pound of pasta to allow the pasta enough room to cook without sticking together.

2. Stir pasta when you first add it to the water to prevent sticking.

3. Use the cooking time on the package as a guide, then try a piece to see if it’s the right texture.

4. Don’t rinse cooked pasta; you’ll rinse away the starch, which actually helps the sauce stick. Only rinse pasta if it will be used cold, such as in a salad.

These recipes show how easy it is to combine simple proteins, such as chicken or beef, in addition to your favorite cheesy pasta and spices for a cozy dish in minutes. Find more recipes at Velveeta.com.

Recipe for Smoke and Spice Chicken Shells and Cheese

Servings: 3

Ingredients

• 1 package Velveeta Shells & Cheese Bold, Chipotle
• 3/4 pound chopped, cooked chicken

Directions

1. Boil 6 cups water in saucepan.
2. Stir in shell pasta; cook 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Do not rinse. Return to pan.
3. Add cheese sauce and seasoning; mix well. Add chicken to prepared pasta.

Recipe for Beefy Nacho Shells and Cheese

Servings: 3

Ingredients

1 package Velveeta Shells & Cheese Bold, Jalapeño

1/2 pound lean ground beef

2 teaspoons taco seasoning mix

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips

Directions

1. Boil 6 cups water in saucepan.
2. Stir in shell pasta and jalapeños; cook 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Drain pasta and jalapeños. Do not rinse. Return to pan. Add cheese sauce; mix well.
4. Meanwhile, brown ground beef in skillet; drain.
5. Add taco seasoning mix and water; simmer until most of the water is cooked off.
6. Add meat mixture to cooked pasta with cheese sauce; mix well.
7. Top with tortilla chips.

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