Chili Cheddar Penne

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 25 min.
Yield 6 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
There's plenty of saucy, cheese flavor in this dish. Taco seasoning and canned chilies give it a zippy southwestern flare. Make it as spicy as you'd like by using mild or hot chiles and regular or spicy taco seasoning. —Aaron Werner, Madison, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 1-1/3 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 4 teaspoons butter
  • 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 teaspoons taco seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 2/3 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, drained
  • Sliced avocado, optional

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the cheese, taco seasoning and salt. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Drain pasta; stir into cheese sauce. Cook and stir for 3 minutes or until heated through.
  3. Stir in the corn, tomatoes and chiles just until combined. Garnish with avocado if desired.
There's plenty of saucy, cheese flavor in this dish. Taco seasoning and canned chilies give it a zippy southwestern flare. Make it as spicy as you'd like by using mild or hot chiles and regular or spicy taco seasoning. —Aaron Werner, Madison, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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