Easy Pasta Primavera

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Serves 6.

3 C (8 oz) rotini pasta, uncooked
16 oz frozen vegetable blend
1/2 lb prepared cheese product
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t black pepper
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1. Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding vegetable blend for the last 7 minutes of the pasta cooking time. Drain pasta mixture; return to saucepan.

2. Add cheese and seasonings; mix well. Cook on low heat until cheese is completely melted, stirring frequently.

Easy Chicken Fajita Skillet

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Serves 6.

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 t chili powder
1/4 t salt
2 C (8 oz) elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 C coarsely chopped mixed red and green peppers
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 lb prepared cheese product, cut up
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1. Cook chicken and seasonings in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally.

2. Stir in 2 1/4 C water. Bring to boil. Stir in macaroni; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low. simmer 5 minutes. Add peppers and onion; cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes.

3. Add cheese; cook until melted, stirring frequently.

Broccoli Soup

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
6 servings.

1/4 C chopped onion
2 T butter, divided
2 T flour
2 1/2 C milk
3/4 lb prepared cheese product, cut up
10 oz frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained
1/8 t pepper
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1. Cook and stir onion in 1 T of the butter in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat until onion is tender.

2. Add remaining 1 T butter and flour, cook 1 minute or until hot and bubbly, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring until well blended. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.

3. Add remaining ingredients; cook until cheese is melted and soup is heated through, stirring occasionally.

Cheesy Chicken Italiano

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 20 min
Makes: 4 servings

3 cups rotini pasta
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1 jar (14 oz.) regular or chunky spaghetti sauce
6 oz. prepared cheese product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
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Cook pasta as directed on package.

Meanwhile, heat large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 2 min. on each side. Add sauce; cover. Simmer on low heat 10 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF). Add cheese; cook and stir until melted.

Drain pasta; top with chicken and sauce.

Creamy Broccoli Soup

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 min
Makes: 6 servings

1/4 cup chopped onions
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
1/2 lb. prepared cheese product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
10 oz frozen chopped broccoli, cooked, drained
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. pepper
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Cook and stir onions in butter in 2-qt. saucepan on medium-high heat until onions are crisp-tender. Blend in flour.

Add milk and cream cheese; cook on medium heat until cream cheese is melted, stirring frequently.

Stir in remaining ingredients; cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Note: You can substitute frozen chopped spinach; frozen cauliflower florets, chopped; or frozen asparagus spears, chopped; for the broccoli.

Use Your Microwave: Microwave onions and butter in 2-qt. microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 sec. or until onions are tender. Stir in milk. Microwave 3 to 4 min. or until heated through, stirring every 2 min. Stir in cream cheese. Microwave 4 to 6 min. or until cream cheese is melted, stirring every 2 min. Stir in remaining ingredients. Microwave 30 sec. or until heated through.

Cheesy Beef and Veggie Pasta

Prep Time:10 min
Total Time:30 min
Makes:6 servings, 1-1/3 cups each

3 cups farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 carrots, sliced
4 green onions, chopped
2 cups milk
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 lb. (4 oz.) prepared cheese product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese
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Cook pasta as directed on package.

Meanwhile, brown meat in large deep skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Return meat to skillet. Add carrots and onions; cook 5 min., stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Add to meat mixture with milk, peas and cheese; stir. Cook on medium-low heat 5 min. or until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Velvety Vegetable Cheese Soup

Velvety Vegetable Cheese Soup
by Kraft

16 oz frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrot mix
2 cans (14 oz each) fat-free reduced -sodium chicken broth
3/4 lb Velveeta, cut up
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Place vegetables and broth in a large saucepan; cover. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 min. or until vegetables are tender.

Mash vegetables with potato masher to desired consistency.

Stir in Velveeta; cook 5 min. or until Velveeta is melted and soup is heated through, stirring frequently.

Makes 6 servings, 1 cup each.