Mexican Mac and Cheese Recipe

Bylilan Sage
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Introduction

Mexican Mac and Cheese is a flavorful twist on a classic comfort food, combining creamy cheese with spicy sausage and zesty salsa verde. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, offering a satisfying blend of textures and bold flavors.

A close-up of a baked pasta dish in a black baking pan with rigatoni pasta pieces covered in melted golden-yellow cheese, with visible bits of cooked ground meat mixed in. On top, there is a central line of halved bright red cherry tomatoes and green cilantro leaves scattered over the cheese. A wooden spoon lifts a portion of the cheesy pasta from the pan, showing the creamy, textured surface and browned edges. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dry rigatoni pasta (1 box)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 16 ounces pork sausage (bulk or casings removed)
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 envelope)
  • 4.5 ounces chopped green chiles (undrained, 1 can)
  • 16 ounces salsa verde
  • 16 ounces shredded Mexican Blend cheese (2 bags)
  • Diced cherry tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line with foil and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot of salted water, boil the rigatoni pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Step 3: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork sausage and chopped onion, crumbling the sausage as it cooks.
  4. Step 4: When the sausage is almost cooked through, stir in the taco seasoning and chopped green chiles. Continue cooking until sausage is fully cooked.
  5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the salsa verde. Mix well.
  6. Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine.
  7. Step 7: Pour half of the pasta and sausage mixture into the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle with 8 ounces of shredded Mexican Blend cheese.
  8. Step 8: Layer the remaining pasta and sausage mixture over the cheese, and top with the remaining 8 ounces of cheese. Do not stir.
  9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  10. Step 10: Remove from oven and garnish with diced cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

  • Use a spicy sausage to add extra heat or switch to ground turkey for a leaner option.
  • For added texture, mix in some black beans or corn before baking.
  • If you prefer milder flavors, substitute salsa verde with a mild enchilada sauce.
  • To make it vegetarian, omit the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers instead.

Storage

Store leftover Mexican Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally, to maintain creaminess.

How to Serve

A close-up of a baking pan filled with pasta bake. The dish has three main visible layers: at the bottom is a creamy, golden-yellow baked cheese and sauce layer, above it is a layer of tube-shaped pasta mixed with browned ground meat, and on top are bright red halved cherry tomatoes scattered with fresh green herb leaves. A wooden spoon is scooping a portion from the right side of the black baking pan, which sits on a wooden surface with a white marbled texture background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, feel free to use any sturdy pasta like penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni. Just make sure to cook it al dente to hold up well in the bake.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble the dish up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s chilled.

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Mexican Mac and Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 76 reviews
  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
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Description

Mexican Mac and Cheese is a flavorful twist on the classic comfort food, combining hearty rigatoni pasta with spiced pork sausage, green chiles, tangy salsa verde, and melted Mexican Blend cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection and optionally garnished with fresh tomatoes and cilantro, this dish brings vibrant Mexican flavors to a creamy, cheesy pasta bake.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound dry rigatoni pasta (1 box)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Meat and Vegetables

  • 16 ounces pork sausage (bulk or casings removed)
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 4.5 ounces chopped green chiles (undrained, 1 can)

Seasoning and Sauces

  • 1 ounce Taco Seasoning (1 envelope)
  • 16 ounces salsa verde

Cheese and Garnish

  • 16 ounces shredded Mexican Blend cheese (2 bags, divided)
  • Diced cherry tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or lining it with foil and set aside.
  2. Boil Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
  3. Cook Sausage and Onion: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork sausage and chopped onion, breaking up the sausage with a spoon as it cooks until browned and the onion is softened.
  4. Add Seasoning and Chiles: When the sausage is nearly cooked through, stir in the taco seasoning mix and chopped green chiles. Continue cooking briefly to combine flavors.
  5. Incorporate Salsa Verde: Remove the skillet from heat and stir the salsa verde into the sausage mixture, mixing well to create a flavorful sauce.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sausage Mixture: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sausage mixture and stir until evenly coated.
  7. Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour half of the pasta and sausage mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded Mexican Blend cheese over the first layer.
  8. Layer and Top: Add the remaining pasta and sausage mixture on top, then finish by spreading the remaining 8 ounces of shredded cheese over the top layer. Do not stir after adding the cheese.
  9. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and optionally top with diced cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro for added freshness and color. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use mild or spicy taco seasoning depending on your taste preference.
  • For a creamier texture, consider adding a splash of milk to the sausage mixture before combining with pasta.
  • Fresh cilantro and diced tomatoes add bright flavors but can be omitted if not preferred.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
  • Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: Mexican mac and cheese, baked pasta, rigatoni recipe, sausage pasta bake, Mexican blend cheese, salsa verde pasta

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