King Ranch Mac and Cheese

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King Ranch Mac and Cheese is a tasty twist on two comfort food classics. This dish blends creamy mac and cheese with the zesty flavors of King Ranch chicken casserole. You’ll love how the green chiles and bell peppers add a nice kick to the cheesy pasta.

Ready in under an hour, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend dinners with friends. The mix of Velveeta, cheddar, and cream of mushroom soup creates an ultra-creamy sauce that coats every bite. Top it all off with crunchy tortilla chips for added texture.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty King Ranch mac and cheese:

• 12 ounces elbow macaroni (or your favorite pasta shape)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

You’ll also need:

• 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional ingredients:

• 1 cup crushed tortilla chips or Doritos
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. This will make the process much smoother and more fun!

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish. Cook 12 ounces of elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for 5 minutes until soft.

Stir in a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles. Lower the heat and add cubed Velveeta, chili powder, and cumin. Stir until the cheese melts.

Take the skillet off the heat. Mix in cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, cooked chicken, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in the cooked pasta.

Pour everything into your baking dish. Top with crushed tortilla chips if you like, and sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese on top.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

If you want, garnish with fresh cilantro. Enjoy your tasty King Ranch mac and cheese!

Possible Substitutes List

Want to mix things up? Here are some tasty swaps you can try in your King Ranch Mac and Cheese:

Pasta:

• Penne
• Rotini
• Shells
• Farfalle (bow-tie)

Cheese:

• Monterey Jack instead of Velveeta
• Pepper Jack for extra spice
• Colby or Gouda in place of cheddar

Protein:

• Leftover turkey
• Cooked ground beef
• Chorizo for a spicy kick
• Black beans for a vegetarian option

Veggies:

• Red bell pepper instead of green
• Diced jalapeños for heat lovers
• Corn kernels for sweetness

Toppings:

• Crushed Fritos instead of tortilla chips
• Panko breadcrumbs for crunch
• Sliced jalapeños

Soup:

• Cream of chicken soup
• Cream of celery soup

Try swapping sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangy, healthier twist. You can also use gluten-free pasta and cream soup for a gluten-free version. Remember, these swaps might change the flavor slightly, so have fun experimenting!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this King Ranch mac and cheese more diabetes-friendly, you can try a few simple swaps. Use whole wheat pasta instead of regular elbow macaroni. This will add fiber and help slow down the absorption of carbs.

Replace the Velveeta with low-fat cheddar cheese. This cuts down on saturated fat while keeping the cheesy flavor. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for extra protein and less fat.

Try these veggie boosts:

• Add extra bell peppers and onions
• Mix in some diced zucchini or spinach

For the topping, skip the chips and use crushed pork rinds or almond flour mixed with spices. This gives you a crunchy texture without the extra carbs.

Cut back on the portion size too. Aim for about 1 cup per serving and pair it with a big side salad. This helps you feel full while keeping your blood sugar in check.

Remember to check with your doctor or dietitian about how this fits into your meal plan. They can give you personalized advice on enjoying comfort foods while managing diabetes.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best King Ranch Mac and Cheese, cook your pasta al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven, so slightly undercooked pasta works well.

Don’t skimp on the cheese! The combination of Velveeta and cheddar creates a creamy, gooey texture. For extra flavor, try using pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.

Make it spicier by adding a diced jalapeño or increasing the chili powder. You can also use hot Rotel tomatoes for more heat.

To save time, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own. It’s quick and adds great flavor to the dish.

Storing leftovers is easy. Put them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot.

You can freeze this mac and cheese too. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

For a crunchy topping, crush some extra tortilla chips and sprinkle them on just before serving. This adds a nice texture contrast to the creamy pasta.