Salsa Mac

When I was in college, I made this recipe all the time.  I loved it.  Scott would come over and eat it, and he loved it.  It was a total hit.  However, somewhere along the way I forgot about it.  Then last week I started missing it and went for a scavenger hunt through my recipe box to find it. 

I made it for dinner, and Scott and I still love it.  One thing has changed though.  We now have a little one who loves it too.  He chowed down on this stuff--and it's fairly spicy!  Anyway, as this is such a hit with my family, I thought I'd share it with yours.  Here it is:

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
16 oz. chunky salsa
1 1/2 c. water
7 oz. elbow macaroni
3/4 lb. Velveeta--cubed


Start by browning the ground beef.  When finished, drain it.  (Please remember to dispose of your grease in a paper towel lined container in the trash--preferably a container with a lid.  Garbage disposals and drains loathe grease.)

Add the salsa and water.  Bring to a boil.  Stir in the mac.  Reduce the heat and cover.

Helpful hint:  Boiling the noodles in this mix allows the flavor to soak into them throughout cooking time--rather than just boiling them in plain water then adding them to the mix. 

This mix should simmer 8-10 minutes--until the noodles are done.

While this mix is cooking, I cube the Velveeta.  However, somewhere along the way, Velveeta had the craptastic idea of taking the measurements off of their packaging.  So, I cut the 2 lb. block in half and use as close to 3/4 lb. as I can eyeball.  From that point, cube the cheese.  Keep in mind that the smaller you cut the cubes, the faster they melt.  Add them to the mix.

Stir until melted.

Above is a picture of the finished product, but it really doesn't do it justice.  This stuff is dang good...and it looks it too (in real life, of course). 

With the remaining Velveeta, I do two things.
#1--Make Rotel with the full pound.
#2--Make Broccoli Cheese Soup with the remaining quarter pound.  This recipe I'll share tomorrow.

Lingering thought of the day:  I'm hoping housework will make me skinny.  Scrubbing tubs and floors takes a ton of elbow grease and really should be considered as serious exercise.