This is a great casserole dish for potlucks or family gatherings. Easy to make and easy on the family budget. You will be the talk of the day with this fabulous meal. Incorporate, the always a favorite, Macaroni & Cheese dinner and add a Mexican flavor to create a casserole you will be making over and over again. Your family and guests will be asking for your recipe after they have tried this delicious treat.

Macaroni and Cheese is a favorite among side dishes in America. Originally created to be a common casserole and then targeted as food for kids, adults have taken to the dish as well. There are many variations of recipes for Mac n Cheese. Lovers of this meal have created all sorts of casseroles from adding meat, chicken, soup, tomatoes, peppers and vegetables.

 This is a Mexican dish I truly love to prepare and eat. It is very easy to make. You can purchase an Old El Paso Taco Bake Kit in any grocery store with everything needed except the hamburger meat.  You have a tortilla shell on the bottom of a 9-inch baking pan, a layer of prepared meat with taco seasoning, another tortilla shell, another layer of meat and then the last shell.  Cover with cheese and bake.  When done, remove from oven and add shredded lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and a spoon of sour cream for the topping.  You are done!

I tried a Macaroni Shells and Cheese Taco Bake recipe I found on the back of a box from Kraft Velveeta Macaroni Shells and Cheese. It was just too plain. Nothing about it really appealed to me.

I liked the concept of this recipe, so I decided it was time to add my personal spin and make this a spicy and tasteful casserole. It is easy to make and sure to be a hit with your family and friends. This dinner will be a great addition for potluck dinners or family gatherings.

• Large Non-Stick Skillet w/Lid

• 5 QT. Sauce Pan

• 9" x 13" Baking Dish

• Measuring Cup/Spoons

• Wooded Utensils

• Knife/Spoon

• Shredder (opt.)

Step #1- Take your 2 lbs. of hamburger meat and lightly brown in skillet and drain excess grease. Add the onion, garlic, chopped green chilies to the meat. Continue cooking until the meat is done and the onions are becoming tender. Next you will add the chili powder, chipotle powder, crushed oregano and the crushed cilantro to the meat and mix well. Add salt and black pepper to your personal taste.

Step #2- Add 1 cup of water and the package of Taco seasoning to the meat mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Step #3- While the meat is simmering, prepare the macaroni shells per instruction on the package. Add 12 cups of water to the 5 qt sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add 1-2 tablespoon of oil to the water. Pour the macaroni into the water and let boil until tender. When tender, remove from heat and drain well.

Step #4- Return the drained macaroni shells to the sauce pan and add ½ of the Velveeta cheese in the package that came with the dinner kit and mix well.

Step #5- Lightly spray “Pam” baking spray in baking dish to coat the bottom. Pour the macaroni shell into the bottom of the dish and spread evenly.

Step #6- Add ¾ cup of Sour Cream to the meat mixture and mix together. Pour and spread the meat mixture over the macaroni in the baking dish. Add the remaining cheese from the package that came with the dinner kit over the meat. (Note: You will have to remove the cheese from the package and heat to be able to pour it over the meat.)

Step #7- Take the Tortilla chips and crush. Spread the crushed chips over the top. Pour 2 cups of Salsa over the top of the chips. Add 2 cups of the Pace Mexican 4-Cheese over the salsa. Add a light covering of shredded cheese over the top of the dish.

Step #8- Place in oven at 350 degrees and cook for about 20 minutes or until the shredded cheese is melted. Remove and let sit to cool a few minutes before serving.

 Step#9- Add serving to plate. Depending on serving size, add either a teaspoon or tablespoon of Salsa Verde on top of the serving.  Enjoy!

 This dish makes a great meal you can prepare ahead of time and serve when needed. You can add more hot & spicy ingredients to taste. When using left-overs, once heated crush a couple of hands full of tortilla chips on top before eating.