Sam’s Fresh Salsa Mac N’ Cheese
Original Recipe by A Merry Recipe
PREP TIME
5-10 minutes
COOK TIME
25 minutes
SERVES
8 people
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb elbow pasta, 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
4 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
4 oz grated Colby jack cheese
4 oz Muenster or Monterey Jack cheese
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 Cup Sam’s Fresh Salsa Mild or Medium salsa
1 & 1/4 Cup half and half
1/4 tsp salt
2 Cups tortilla chips
1/2 Cup chopped cilantro
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly butter a 3-quart baking dish
Cook the pasta as directed in package directions, adding 1 tablespoon of salt tot he boiling water before adding pasta. Drain pasta; set aside.
Toss grated cheeses and cornstarch together.
Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan
Add 1 Cup of Sam’s and stir for 30 seconds. Add garlic, cumin, onion powder, and salt; cook for 2 minutes.
Add half and half to the salsa mix; cook for 1 minute to warm the cream. Gradually stir the grated cheese/cornstarch mix into the milk until it becomes a silky sauce, adjust heat to low or medium low as needed
Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and gently fold until well mixed, adding extra milk for desired creaminess, if needed. Pour cheesy pasta into a prepared baking dish. Crunch the tortilla chips on top of the macaroni and cheese. Place in the center of the oven, and bake for 10-15 minutes.
To serve - garnish fresh Sam’s salsa mac and cheese with 1/4 cup of Sam’s Fresh Salsa and cilantro. Enjoy!