Cheesy Southwest Appetizers Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
• Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
• To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.

CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SKILLET

Steps:

• In 12-inch skillet, heat 3 cups water to boiling; add pasta. Cook 8 to 9 minutes or until pasta is tender; drain and return to skillet.
• Add chicken, sauce and chiles; heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with bell pepper, olives and tortilla chips.

SOUTHWESTERN CHEESE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Whisk together first 3 ingredients until mixture is blended; stir in diced red peppers and next 6 ingredients.
• Set marinade aside.
• Cut block of cheddar cheese in half lengthwise.
• Cut halves crosswise into ¼-inch thick slices.
• Repeat procedure with Monterey jack cheese and cream cheese.
• Arrange cheese slices alternatively in a shallow baking dish, standing slices on edge.
• Pour marinade over cheeses.
• Cover and chill at least 8 hours.
• Transfer cheese to a serving plate, and spoon remaining marinade over top.
• Serve with assorted crackers or even tortilla chips.

CHEESY SOUTHWEST APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Cut Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses into small triangles. Top each cracker with some Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper and olives. Place on baking sheet.
• Broil 4- to 5-inches from heat for 1 to 3 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.

SOUTHWEST APPETIZER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place tortilla chips in a large Ziploc bag.
• Finely crush chips with mallet or rolling pin to measure 2/3 cup.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Combine crushed chips and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, process cottage cheese in processor or blender until smooth.
• Beat cream cheese and cottage cheese in large bowl with and electric mixer on med. speed until well blended.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Stir in cheddar cheese and chilies.
• Pour mixture over baked crust.
• Return to oven; bake 60 minutes.
• Combine sour cream and dip in small bowl; mix thoroughly.
• Remove cheesecake from oven and carefully pour sour cream mixture evenly over top.
• Return cheesecake to oven; bake 10 minutes more.
• Remove cheesecake from oven.
• Let stand at room temperature to cool slightly.
• Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool completely before removing rim.
• Refrigerate cheesecake until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, top with the tomatoes, green onions and olives.
• Cut into wedges to serve.
• Note: The 8 oz. cans of jalepeño cheddar dip are found, usually, on the rack in front of the tortilla chips, and potato chips.

CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SOUP RECIPE

Steps:

• In a stock pot over medium heat, cook garlic, onion, and chicken breasts in olive oil until browned. Sprinkle with Fajita seasoning, and stir until combined.
• Add Mexicorn, black beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in velveeta cheese until it is completely melted.
• Pour into bowls and serve. Top with cilantro, sour cream, avocado and tortilla strips.