The Cheap Gourmet

Baked Spicy Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Beef and Bacon Casserole

Baked spicy macaroni and cheese with ground beef and bacon casserole is one of our family favorite recipes. This one-dish meal is a cheap gourmet version of America's all-time favorite comfort food. It pairs well with a fresh salad and piping hot dinner rolls.

Baked spicy macaroni and cheese with ground beef and bacon casserole is a great dish to take to pitch-in parties and cook-outs. It can be served for lunch or dinner, as an entrée or side dish, and makes a great leftover meal that can be taken to work and reheated in the microwave.

This Mac' and Cheese casserole can be transformed into a healthier version by using whole wheat pasta, substituting ground beef with ground chicken or turkey, and using turkey bacon instead of pork. I have used low-fat cheddar cheese in the past, but found it to be a bit too rubbery in this particular recipe. I hope you, your family and friends enjoy this macaroni and cheese recipe as much as we do!

BAKED SPICY MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH GROUND BEEF AND BACON CASSEROLE
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 10 – 12 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
1 to 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 pound lean Ground Beef, Chicken or Turkey
6 slices Bacon, (Pork or Turkey)
1 16-ounce box Corkscrew Pasta (or Elbow Macaroni, Penne or Bowtie)
1 or 2 Jalapeno Peppers, seeds removed and diced
2 medium cloves Garlic, minced
1 16-ounce jar Ragu Cheddar Cheese Sauce
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 teaspoon dried Oregano
1 teaspoon dried Basil
Salt and pepper, as desired

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place bacon strips in large skillet and cook over medium heat approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side. Bacon should be crisp on both sides for ease in breaking into smaller pieces.
3. Transfer cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up grease.
4. Crumble ground beef into skillet, allowing it to cook in the remaining bacon grease. Stir frequently and break up any large pieces using a spatula. 

5. Using a 3-quart pot, add 2 quarts of water, pinch of salt and a splash of olive oil. Bring to a boil, add pasta and cook as per package instructions.

6. While ground beef and pasta are cooking, wash jalapeno peppers, remove seeds and dice. If you prefer super spicy, chop entire pepper including the seeds.
7. Remove skin from garlic cloves and mince.
8. Break bacon into bite-size pieces and add along with jalapeno peppers and garlic cloves to ground beef during the last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking.
9. Lightly grease a 9x12 baking dish with olive oil.
10. Drain pasta using a colander and transfer to baking dish.

11. Drain hamburger mixture in colander and rinse with water to remove excess grease.
12. Add hamburger mixture and Ragu Cheddar Cheese Sauce to pasta. Gently stir to incorporate ingredients.

13. Top casserole with shredded Cheddar Cheese. Evenly sprinkle with dried Oregano and Basil.

14. Place Mac' and Cheese in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese melts and begins to turn brown on top. 

15. Using oven mitts, remove casserole from oven. Allow to sit for 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to dinner plates and serve immediately.

Super Simple "Leftover" Chicken Pasta Recipe

The following Super Simple Chicken Pasta Recipe was created using leftover chicken and a variety of pastas. Do you ever have boxes with just a little bit of pasta left in them? If so, this recipe is the perfect solution!

Here's what you need to make this tasty dish. Feel free to add or delete spices and veggies to create your own unique pasta dish.

8 ounces Dried Pasta - I used penne, shells and bowtie pasta

1 or 2 Chicken breasts, diced (You could use dark or white meat or a combination)

2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 cloves Garlic, minced

1/2 White or Yellow onion, chopped

1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped

1 Jalapeno Pepper, seeds removed and minced

1 Tomato, seeded and chopped

1 ounce freshly grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Using a 6-quart pot, fill about 2/3rd's of the way with water to boil the pasta.

Place the pot on a stove burner and turn on High. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt, if desired and a teaspoon of olive oil (helps to keep the pasta from sticking).

Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes.

Add 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil to 12-inch skillet. Place on stovetop burner and turn heat to Medium.

Add garlic and onion. Saute until onion becomes translucent; about 4 minutes.

Add green bell and jalapeno peppers and cook for 3 minutes.

Add diced chicken.

When pasta is thoroughly cooked, drain water and add to veggie mixture in the skillet.

Reduce heat to Low.

Add tomatoes and gently toss. Cook all ingredients for 4-5 minutes.

Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Feel free to add in additional spices such as Mrs. Dash, basil, oregano or parsley.

Transfer to serving bowl and enjoy!

Add a yummy salad and freshly baked bread (Pillsbury has a fabulous French bread loaf!) for a satisfying meal.

OliveNation.com ~ For Italian Food Lovers

Are you passionate about authentic Italian cooking? Then I have a resource for YOU! Olive Nation offers an abundance of authentic Italian Olive Oils, aged Balsamic Vinegars, Pastas, Sea Salts, cookbooks and gifts.

Several years ago, I worked at a 5-star Country Club, famous for their amazing desserts. We served a dainty dessert on Mother's Day that consisted of raspberries filled with balsamic vinegar and dusted with powdered sugar. Shortbread cookies, spread with fresh lemon curd were arranged along the edge of a china plate with the raspberries positioned in the middle. The flavor was out of this world and I practically begged the Chef for the recipe. He never would relinquish it.

While visiting Olive Nation, I discovered the recipe and nearly fell out of my chair with excitement! Olive Nation uses San Giacomo, a Balsamic vinegar that has been aged in barrels for 5 to 7 years. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the bottle and realized this is the exact brand we used at the Country Club.

Olive Nation offers a wide range of Balsamic Vinegars. This thick, sweet smelling vinegar is made from the unfermented juice of grapes and slowly aged in wooden barrels. True gourmet Balsamic vinegars are aged from 6 months to several years, whereas the ones sold in grocery stores are aged in stainless steel tanks for only a few months. Once you taste the authentic Balsamic Vinegars offered at Olive Nation, you'll never settle for less!

As you may already know, I am a huge fan of Olive Oil and use it in nearly all my cooking endeavors. Olive oil is made from olives. First they are milled to turn them into a paste. Next, they are put under pressure to extract their oil. Olive oils are graded based on their acidity level. Extra virgin olive oil contains an acid level of less than 1-percent and presents a rich and intense flavor. Virgin olive oil typically registers an acidic level of 1- to 3-percent.

Olive Nation offers a variety of olive oil from various regions within Italy. From the southeast region of Apulia to northwest region of Tuscany, you'll find mild, bold and fruity olive oils for every occasion.

Looking for authentic Italian pasta? You'll fall in love with the selection available at Olive Nation. From organic spaghetti, penne, eliche (corkscrew) and egg tagliatelle to corn ditalini and a corn pasta sampler, you'll be certain to find something to get your creative Italian juices flowing.

Sea salt is a necessary part of Italian cooking and Olive Nation offers a wonderful selection for all your cooking needs. Olive Nation sea salts are harvested by hand and dried under the Italian summer sun. No preservatives or chemicals are added to this gift from Nature. Once you try the real thing, you'll be hooked for life. The difference in taste is absolutely astounding!

Olive Nation has an entire section dedicated to Italian recipes. Here you'll discover authentic pasta dishes including Spaghetti with Lemon Cream and Peppers, Summer Pasta Salad and Penne Pasta with Zucchini and Pecorino Cheese. Other recipes selections include Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Fries, Roasted Shrimp with Garlic Oil, Coffee Macaroons and my all-time favorite Italian dessert, Tiramisu.

Currently, Olive Nation is offering FREE shipping on orders placed before February 11th. It's their Valentine's Day gift to you. Each product is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Gift certificates are available in amounts for $10 to $250.

Learn more about Olive Nation, shop in the online store and discover amazing authentic Italian recipes at www.OliveNation.com.

Penne Pasta with Spicy Peppers Recipe

I'm a huge fan of penne pasta. I love the flavor and texture and find it to be one of the most versatile pastas on the market. Below is one of my all-time favorite Penne Pasta recipes. If desired, you can add grilled shrimp or chicken to this dish. I've also added thinly sliced strips of London Broil and chunks of Italian sausage. No matter what you add, it all tastes good!

Penne Pasta with Spicy Peppers can be served as an entree for either lunch or dinner. My family enjoys this dish along with a tasty crisp salad and homemade garlic bread or breadsticks. I hope your family enjoys it too!

PENNE PASTA WITH SPICY PEPPERS
Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Red Bell Peppers, cut into 3/4-inch strips, seeds removed
2 large Onions, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup frozen Peas
1 teaspoon Frank's Hot Sauce or Tabasco Pepper Sauce
1/2 cup heavy Cream or Half-and-Half
16 ounces Penne Pasta, cooked according to package directions
3/4 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add red peppers, onion, garlic, and salt; cook and stir 5 to 8 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.
Add chicken broth, peas and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally.
Spoon half of red pepper mixture into container of food processor or blender; process until smooth and return to skillet over low heat.
Stir in cream and heat through.
Remove from heat and stir in pasta; tossing well.
Spoon into individual pasta bowls and top with cheese.

Food Wishes Video Recipes

I recently found an amazing cooking blog. It's called Food Wishes Video Recipes and it's owned by Chef John. This blog features step-by-step cooking videos for American Classics, Asian and French Cuisine, Desserts, Dressings, Pasta, Poultry and much more. It truly is a feast for the eyes!

At Food Wishes Video Recipes you will find an ever-growing collection of mouth-watering gourmet recipes including. A few of the delectable creations include:

Chicken Breasts with Herbs de Provence and Mushrooms
Braised Chicken and Artichoke Hearts with Lemon, Cherry Peppers and Thyme
Mascarpone Brulee with Fresh Berries

If you love to cook, you're going to love this Food Wishes Video Recipes. Be sure to thank Chef John for sharing his cooking secrets!

Click here to visit Food Wishes Video Recipes blog.

Red, White and Blue Recipes for the 4th of July!

It's not too late to plan a bodacious red, white and blue menu for your 4th of July celebration. The Recipe Zaar offers an abundance of deliciously delightful concoctions that are certain to please your family and guests. You'll find everything from 4th of July Margaritas to Red, White and Blue Burgers and plenty of tastebud exploding desserts!

If you've never been to Recipe Zaar, you are missing out! Not only will you find thousands of mouth-watering recipes, you'll also be able to interact with other home cooks and chefs in the Recipe Zaar community, share your own recipes, and save recipes in a personal cookbook. Go check them out at www.RecipeZaar.com and sign-up for your free account today!

Photo by RecipeLink.com