Easy Mexican Mac and Cheese
Creamy, bold, and packed with zesty flavors, this Easy Mexican Mac and Cheese is a comfort food favorite with a spicy twist! Perfect for busy weeknights, this 30-minute recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious cheese sauce made from cheddar, pepper jack, and cream cheese. Flavored with diced tomatoes and green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, and optional jalapeño, every bite is a fiesta of Tex-Mex taste. Topped with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finish, this dish is sure to impress as a satisfying main course or a standout side at your next gathering. Quick, flavorful, and irresistibly cheesy, it’s a Mexican-inspired mac and cheese the whole family will love!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Elbow macaroni
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Shredded pepper jack cheese
- 4 oz Cream cheese
- 1 can (10 oz) Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained)
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 Jalapeño (optional, finely diced)
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (optional, chopped for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to create a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, and cream cheese. Continue stirring until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Mix in the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
If using, add the finely diced jalapeño for an extra kick of heat. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as desired.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is fully coated and evenly combined.
Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish and garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
739 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 46.9 g | 60% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.7 g | 143% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 141 mg | 47% | |
| Sodium | 901 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.5 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.9 g | ||
| Protein | 25.8 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 539 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 304 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
