Chili Mac Bake

This is a delicious blend of sloppy joes and mac and cheese!

1 box of your favorite macaroni pasta
2 bags meal starter crumbles (Morning Star brand)
1 small onion minced
1 red bell pepper chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup of ketchup
1 tablespoon Dijon or whole grain mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 8 oz block of cheddar cheese shredded
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic croutons crushed

Boil the noodles in a large pot for about 10-12 minutes or until just aldente. Add the onions and peppers to a large heavy bottom skillet drizzle with olive oil. Let this cook for 5 minutes then add the meal starter crumbles. Let this cook for another 5 minutes. While this is cooking combine the brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, salt, garlic powder, vinegar, ketchup and mustard. Mix well. Add this to the meal crumbles and cook for just a minute or two. Drain the noodles. Remove the sloppy joe mix from the heat. Place the butter an flour into a medium sauce pan melt the butter and cook the flour for just a minute. Add the salt and pepper. Whisk in the milk and let simmer until the sauce thickens. Remove this from the heat and add the shredded cheese. Combine the noodles, sloppy joe mix and cheese sauce. Place this mixture in a baking dish. Top with crumbled croutons and bake in a 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes serve hot with garlic toast or just by itself. For more on this recipe or any others please email me at alesia.leach@gmail.com