Smokey Mac and Cheese Recipe from Knorr Pasta

This post brought to you by Giant Eagle. All opinions are 100% mine.

While I really do prefer to cook from scratch most days, there are some days when i just want something quick that I can throw together.   We usually keep a few packages of Knorr pasta sides on hand in the house, but I have to say that I have never tried any of the recipes on the packages that show you how to "doctor it up" and turn a simple side dish in to a complete meal.

So when the people at Knorr asked me to try out one of the recipes, I figured that this was as good a time as any...and I knew that the Smokey Mac and Cheese recipe was one that my picky-eater family might like.

The recipe calls for a cut-up cooked rotisserie chicken, but I usually have leftover grilled chicken breasts in the freezer, so I just used that.  The best part about this recipe?  Chances are you already have everything you need to make this in your kitchen - and it took me about 25 minutes from start to finish to make!

To make it, you will need:

• 2  slices thick cut bacon, cut in to strips
• 1 cup diced red pepper
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 Package Knorr Pasta Sides - Chicken Flavor
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken
• ½ cup shredded pepper jack or cheddar cheese

Making it is easy!

In a medium saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp (about 4 minutes).  Instead of a saucepan, I actually used my 12" non-stick skillet.  Since this is a 1-pot meal and I knew that I would be adding cheese later, I thought the non-stick skillet would make cleanup super easy (I was right).

Add the peppers and onions to the skillet and cook until crisp-tender.  Remove mixture from pan and set aside.

In the same skillet or saucepan, prepare Knorr Pasta Sides according to package directions.  Stir in the chicken, cheese and bacon/pepper/onion mixture during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Serve and enjoy!

Knorr Pasta SIdes are available at Giant Eagle and other grocery stores nationwide.  Make sure to download the Free Recipe Book  from the Giant Eagle website for more great recipe ideas using Knorr Pasta Sides!