Description
A comforting, cheesy King Ranch Mac and Cheese casserole that combines tender elbow pasta, creamy Velveeta and cheddar cheese, flavorful Rotel tomatoes, and seasoned chicken, all baked to bubbly perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Base
- 8 ounces elbow pasta
Cheese and Dairy
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Proteins
- 1 pound cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel tomatoes (undrained)
- 1/4 cup white onion (chopped very fine)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Other
- 1 can (10.75 ounces) cream of chicken soup
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the elbow pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the undrained Rotel tomatoes, finely chopped white onion, and Velveeta cheese. Stir constantly until the Velveeta melts completely and the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Combine Main Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chili powder, and ground cumin. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings. Gradually add the warm Velveeta-tomato mixture to this bowl along with the cooked pasta. Stir thoroughly to blend all components evenly.
- Bake the Casserole: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use a hot variety of Rotel tomatoes or add jalapeños to the cheese mixture.
- Leftover King Ranch Mac and Cheese can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through.
- Shredded chicken can be substituted with cooked turkey or ham for variation.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
