Best Sunnys Easy Chicken Mac N Cheese With Spicy Ranch Salad Recipes

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CHICKEN RANCH MAC & CHEESE



Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese image

Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. -Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup 2% milk
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3/4 cup ranch salad dressing
1 cup coarsely chopped cooked chicken
TOPPING:
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pot., Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Stir in cheeses until blended. Stir in dressing., Add chicken and sauce to macaroni, tossing to combine. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Toss bread crumbs with melted butter; sprinkle over macaroni. Top with bacon. Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley. Freeze option: Prepare recipe as directed, increasing milk to 1-1/3 cups. Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover casserole with foil; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; continue baking as directed or until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 586 calories, Fat 37g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 84mg cholesterol, Sodium 889mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

RANCH MAC & CHEESE



Ranch Mac & Cheese image

I came up with the recipe for this creamy and satisfying macaroni and cheese, which has a special twist. My husband requests it often - it's hearty enough to serve as a main dish. -Michelle Rotunno, Independence, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon garlic pepper blend
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Colby cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup crushed saltines
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the milk, butter, dressing mix and seasonings; heat through. Stir in Monterey Jack and Colby cheeses until melted. Stir in sour cream., Drain macaroni; stir into cheese sauce with the saltines. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 488 calories, Fat 23g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 1357mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

SUNNY'S CREAMY 5-CHEESE MAC 'N' CHEESE



Sunny's Creamy 5-Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 tablespoons salted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons hot Hungarian paprika
1 teaspoon ground mustard
3 cloves garlic, grated on a rasp
4 finely chopped scallions, white and green parts
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Frank's or Cholula
8 ounces whipped chive-flavored cream cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups reserved pasta water
8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded from the block
8 ounces Gouda, shredded from the block
8 ounces mozzarella, shredded from the block
3 ounces Pecorino Romano, shredded on a box grater
1 pound elbows, cooked al dente in salted water, 2 cups pasta water reserved
8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded from the block
8 ounces mozzarella, shredded from the block

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a deep 13-by-9-inch baking dish.
  • Make the sauce. In a large bowl, mix the ingredients in order, combining completely between additions. Start by adding the flour, paprika, ground mustard, garlic, scallions, hot sauce, cream cheese, a pinch of salt and more grinds of black pepper than normal. Mix this until combined completely. In a liquid measure, mix the heavy cream and pasta water together and add slowly to the bowl while whisking. Add the Cheddar, Gouda, mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheeses.
  • Bake. Add the pasta to the bowl of liquid and stir until the liquid seeps into the elbows and everything is distributed evenly. Pour into the prepared dish. Level with the back of your spoon. Toss together the Cheddar and mozzarella in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top. Bake until the edges are bubbly and the top is golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.

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