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Rotel Macaroni and Cheese

An easy Southwestern Velveeta Rotel Mac n Cheese that is absolutely delish.   This grown-up recipe for macaroni and cheese with Rotel is creamy, cheesy and a little spicy.   

 

mac n cheese with rotel, southwestern mac n cheese

 

Macaroni and  Cheese is an classic American comfort food.   There are so many difference spins on mac and cheese but this Southwestern Mac N’ Cheese is one of our favorites.   We make our Mac n Cheese with Rotel and that adds a little spice and extra flavor to this family fave. 

 

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rotel macaroni and cheese

 

Macaroni and cheese can be served as a side dish or a meatless main dish.   And this Southwestern mac n cheese pairs with Texas BBQ or as much craved dish for any pot luck dinner.   But we are sure it will become one of your family’s favorite recipes.  

 

What is Rotel:

What is Rotel

 

 “The original Texas family recipe – made with a signature blend of vine-ripened tomatoes and zesty green chilies and a savory mixture of secret spices” (per the Rotel Website)

Origin of Rotel:   In 1943 Carl Roettele and his wife open a small canning plant in Elsa, Texas, processing over 25 thousand cases of vegetables a year. Their proudest product was their canned tomatoes and green chilies.  But they worried people couldn’t spell or pronounce “Roettele, so Carl used the name RO*TEL

Shipping was limited to Texas and Oklahoma but in 1963 Lady Bird Johnson shared her secret ingredient, Rotel in her Pedernales Chili recipe published in The Washington Post.   After that Rotel expanded across the United States due to popular demand 

And because the original RO*TEL Whole and Diced varieties proved to be so popular, Hot and Mild were added to the product line, along with Mexican.

 

Ways to use Rotel:

Rotel is canned diced tomatoes with chunks of green chile and has a zesty flavor.  You can substitute or add Rotel for any recipe that uses canned tomatoes.  We always have a few cans in the pantry.

 

Rotel Macaroni and Cheese Recipe:

 

macaroni and cheese ingredients

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½  pound Velveeta, cubed
  • 1 10-ounce can Rotel, drained
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni, prepared
  • ½  cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

 

Equipment Needed:

  • 3 Quart Baking Pan
  • Saucepan

 

How to make Velveeta Rotel Mac and Cheese:

 

Butter melting in saucepan

 

Preheat your oven to 350° F and grease a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.    Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.   When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir to combine.  Continue cooking until the mixture begins to bubble.

 

Making a rue for mac and cheese

 

Add the milk to the saucepan and whisk until everything is just combined.   Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking until thickened, around three minutes.

 

adding cheese to the rue

 

Remove your pan from the heat and add the cubes of  Velveeta.  Stir until melted all the velveeta cheese is melted and combined. 

 

mac n cheese with rotel

 

Add the Rotel and the cooked pasta and gently stir to combine. 

 

velveeta mac and cheese rotel

 

Pour the mac n cheese into the prepared 3 quart baking dish and spread evenly.  

 

velveeta rotel mac and cheese

 

Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top of the velveeta macaroni and cheese and place in the preheated oven.  

 

rotel mac and cheese

 

Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.  Serve this dish of Velveeta Mac N Cheese and enjoy! 

 

Other Pasta Recipes:

 

Click HERE to pin this Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese to Pinterest

mac n cheese with rotel, southwestern mac n cheese
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Rotel Macaroni and Cheese

An easy Southwestern Velveeta Rotel mac n cheese that is absolutely delish. This grown-up recipe for macaroni and cheese with Rotel is creamy, cheesy and a little spicy.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southwestern, Tex Mex
Keyword: mac n cheese with rotel, macaroni and cheese with Rotel, rotel macaroni and cheese, southwestern mac n cheese, velveeta rotel mac and cheese
Servings: 8
Calories: 247kcal
Author: Evelyn

Equipment

  • 3 Quart Baking Pan
  • Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ pound Velveeta cubed
  • 1 10 ounce can Rotel drained
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni prepared
  • ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350° F and grease a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the mixture begins to bubble.
  • Add the milk to the saucepan and whisk until everything is just combined. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking until thickened, around three minutes.
  • Remove your pan from the heat and add the cubes of Velveeta. Stir until melted all the velveeta cheese is melted and combined.
  • Add the Rotel and the cooked pasta and gently stir to combine. Pour the mac n cheese into the prepared 3 quart baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top of the velveeta macaroni and cheese and place in the preheated oven.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted. Serve this dish of Velveeta Mac N Cheese and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 532mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 486IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 257mg | Iron: 1mg
 

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