Southwestern Pasta & Cheese

Name: Southwestern Pasta & Cheese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 3-1/3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta; 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped; 8 green onions, chopped; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 2-1/4 cups fat-free milk; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided; 4 center-cut bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

“I decided to give my old mac 'n' cheese recipe a new twist by including some of my favorite Southwestern ingredients. I especially like the smoky flavors of the chipotle and bacon…my family loves it all!” Serve with a salad or veggie. Naomi Reed - McMinnville, Oregon

Ingredients

3-1/3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
8 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2-1/4 cups fat-free milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
4 center-cut bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute pepper and onions in oil until tender. Stir in the flour, chili powder, chipotle pepper, salt and cumin until blended. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese until melted.
Drain pasta; toss with sauce. Stir in bacon and cilantro. Transfer to a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 240 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 327mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Southwestern Pasta & Cheese in Healthy Cooking February/March 2009

Reviews

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Average Rating:

julzrulz9

Apr 4, 2013

Fantastic! Will definitely make again, the heat level was perfect, totally customizable and easy to put together. Yum!
Pinstripes

Sep 23, 2010

This was great! I doubled the recipe to serve at a party and added a bit more cheese. Made a ton of yummy food! We also used wagon wheels instead of bowties. Delicious and great reheated the next day, too.