Go Bold With Liquid Gold

MISSION, KS--(Marketwired - Sep 18, 2015) - (Family Features) If cooler days have you wishing for savory dishes, give your menu a boost this fall with a bold, spicy twist on your favorite comfort foods. Rich, creamy dishes featuring pasta and a kick of spicy heat will warm you up from the inside out.

A traditional pasta and cheese is the perfect foundation for a delicious skillet dish, one-pot pleaser or casserole that blends familiar flavors with new ones to make an easy and complete weeknight dinner. Packaged options such as Velveeta Shells & Cheese can help shave preparation time, and with new bold Jalapeño and Chipotle flavors, you can bring the heat to a whole new level.

No cheesy pasta is complete unless it's perfectly prepared. Follow these tips to get your pasta just right:

• Use 4 to 6 quarts of water per pound of pasta to allow the pasta enough room to cook without sticking together.

• Stir pasta when you first add it to the water to prevent sticking.

• Use the cooking time on the package as a guide, then try a piece to see if it's the right texture.

• Don't rinse cooked pasta; you'll rinse away the starch, which actually helps the sauce stick. Only rinse pasta if it will be used cold, such as in a salad.

These recipes show how easy it is to combine simple proteins, such as chicken or beef, in addition to your favorite cheesy pasta and spices for a cozy dish in minutes. Find more recipes at Velveeta.com.

Smoke and Spice Chicken Shells and Cheese
Servings: 3
1	package Velveeta Shells & Cheese Bold, Chipotle
3/4	pound chopped, cooked chicken

Boil 6 cups water in saucepan. Stir in shell pasta; cook 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Do not rinse. Return to pan. Add cheese sauce and seasoning; mix well. Add chicken to prepared pasta.

Beefy Nacho Shells and Cheese
Servings: 3

1	package Velveeta Shells & Cheese Bold, Jalapeño
1/2	pound lean ground beef
2	teaspoons taco seasoning mix
1/2	cup water
1/2	cup crushed tortilla chips

Boil 6 cups water in saucepan. Stir in shell pasta and jalapeños; cook 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta and jalapeños. Do not rinse. Return to pan. Add cheese sauce; mix well.

Meanwhile, brown ground beef in skillet; drain. Add taco seasoning mix and water; simmer until most of the water is cooked off. Add meat mixture to cooked pasta with cheese sauce; mix well. Top with tortilla chips.

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