Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese
September 9th, 2007
1 Lb. Ground beef
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2-3 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 ¼ tsp salt
12 oz. Package pasta
3 cups milk
2 Tbsp flour
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredder
1 ½ cups jack cheese, shredded ( pepper jack is also good)
1 ½ cups tortillas chips, broken
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the noodles. Add noodles when water is boiling and follow package direction for proper cooking time. Drain and return to pot.
In a large skillet cook the ground beef and onion oven medium heat till crumbly and cooked through. Drain grease from meat and return to skillet. Add tomato paste and half the spices. Add ¼ cup water to meat and cook for 1 minute more.
In a sauce pan stir together the milk and flour till smooth. Add the rest of the spices. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute till thickened. Remove from the heat and add ½ the cheese and stir till smooth.
Now to the pot with the pasta add the meat mixture and the sauce and stir to blend. Pour into the 9 x 13 pan and top with remaining cheese and the crushed tortilla chips and place in the center of the oven. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serve with green salad and corn.