Mexican-Style Pasta Bake

Salsa, cumin, and cilantro give this one-dish meal south-of-the-border flair. You can make it in individual servings or in a 3-quart baking dish, depending on the size of your dinner crowd.

Prep: 35 minutes
Bake: 15 minutes

Ingredients

12 ounces dried bow tie pasta (about 5 cups)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red sweet pepper
3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried cilantro, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cups milk
6 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (6 oz.)
1 cup bottled salsa
2/3 cup halved pitted green and/or ripe olives
Chili powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Butter six 12- to 16-ounce individual casserole dishes (or one 3-quart baking dish); set aside. In a 4-quart Dutch oven cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; return to pan. In a large saucepan cook onion and sweet pepper in butter over medium heat about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, cilantro, and cumin. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low. Stir in Colby cheese and 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese; stir until cheese is melted. Pour over drained pasta; stir to combine.
2. Layer half of the pasta mixture, all of the salsa, and the remaining pasta mixture in the prepared casseroles. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese and olives. Sprinkle lightly with chili powder. Bake, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly around edges and heated through. (If using large casserole, bake in a 400 degree F oven about 20 minutes.) Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.