This Killer Mexican Mac and Cheese is fully loaded with all of your favourite Tex-Mex flavours. Find out how to make it below.
Mac and Cheese but Mexican!
There's no doubt that the American's are king of mac and cheese but ever since trying an amazing pot of Mexican mac and cheese from a street food vendor I decided to recreate it at home.
Normal macaroni and cheese was one of the first meals I learnt to make so I have well and truly perfected the cheese sauce.
If you're also already well versed in making a roux then you are already well on your way to cheesey heaven.
With a killer cheese sauce already in my repertoire, I knew I didn't have to tweak the base sauce too much to be on to a winner. So, I added onions and garlic, sour cream, chipotle sauce and ground coriander to my silky smooth cheese sauce to give it a different flavour profile. I then added roasted red peppers, sweetcorn and pasta before topping with crispy onions, pickled jalapenos and fresh coriander.
Shredded chicken cooked with fajita spices would also be a nice way to bulk the meal out for the more carnivorous amongst you. Otherwise, just add your favourite veggies!
Each mouthful is just bursting with Tex-Mex flavours.
Add your own Tex-Mex toppings
Those of you who read the blog regularly will know I'm a big fan of food "bars" - think burger bar, taco bar, ice cream sundae bar. Essentially it's a way of taking a simple dish, having bowls of different toppings and added extras, which allows your guests or family to pimp their meal exactly to their liking. The crispy onions, jalapenos, and fresh coriander are a great way of doing this. You could even have extra sour cream and cheese for those looking for a cooler dish.
As with any meal, I recommend tasting the sauce as you go along. You want the base mac and cheese to be a real crowd pleaser so you don't want it too spicy. The chipotle should add a gentle warmth and a smoky flavour. The extra jalapenos can then be used to up the heat for each individual.
The choice of pasta can also be quite personal too. For some reason my other half just doesn't like macaroni, so please forgive me for calling this a mac and cheese when I've actually used fusilli. It really doesn't matter what pasta you use as long as you love it.
If you're cooking a big pot for a crowd, I recommend making the sauce a little thinner, placing it in a large casserole dish and letting it bubble for until you are ready to serve. When there's just two of you chowing down, its super quick to make on the hob and you can skip the 10 minutes under the grill.
The recipe
Let's take things to the next level with this quick and easy Killer Mexican Mac and Cheese!
Mexican Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 50 g butter
- 1 smal white onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 600 g pasta
- 3 tablespoon plain flour
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 750 ml milk
- 300 ml sour cream
- 250 g cheddar cheese
- 2 roasted red peppers
- 275 g sweetcorn
- 2 teaspoon chipotle paste
- Salt and pepper to toaste
- 4 tablespoon jalapenos
- 8 tablespoon fried onions
- 1 bunch coriander
Instructions
- In a milk pan, heat the olive oil and butter until completely melted.
- Finely dice the onion and mince the cloves of garlic before adding to the melted butter/oil mix.
- Cook for 5 minutes until the onions have softened.
- While the onions are cooking, add the pasta to a pan of boiling water and cook according to the packet's isntructions (for roughly 10-15minutes).
- While the pasta is cooking and once the onions are cooked, add the flour and dried spices to the butter/onion mix.
- Stir well until a dry pasta forms and the butter has been completely incorporated into the flour.
- Next, add the milk to the paste a little at a time, stirring well each time first to create a smooth paste, then a thick sauce before adding the rest of the milk.
- Keep the pan on a low heat and stir constantly for 5 - 10 minutes until the sauce has begun to thicken and coat the spoon.
- Grate the cheese into the sauce and stir well until melted.
- Finally, add the sour cream, roasted red peppers (sliced), sweetcorn and chipotle paste.
- Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined and the sauce is thick and bubbling.
- Test the sauce and add seasoning at this stage if needed.
- By this point the pasta should be cooked.
- Transfer the pasta into an oven dish and pop over the cheese sauce.
- Pop under the grill on a medium heat for 10 minutes or until the top has turned golden.
- Serve with fresh coriander, pickled jalapenos and crispy onions in small bowls to top the mac and cheese.
Nutrition
More Mexican inspired recipes
The Mexican recipe collection
For the full range of Mexican inspired recipes check out the recipe collection.
Katie Bryson says
What a fabulous pot of deliciousness! My kids would HATE this but me and the husband would devour it in seconds. I love the Tex Mex flavours and textures you've got going on here... amazing! Def going to try this when the kids are not around!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Katie 🙂 it is perhaps a tad OTT for little ones 😛 you are your hubbie definitely deserve it though! Hope you get a kiddie free night soon x
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Oh, I think you are totally entitled to boast about this. It sounds absolutely wonderful!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Dorothy 😀 we made a HUGH batch the last time we made it and practically lived off it for a week. Heaven!
Oana @AdoreFoods says
I am totally making this next week! Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing it 🙂
Emma Walton says
My pleasure Oana 🙂
Sue Lau says
Love jalapenos and cheese so naturally...mac & cheese! Great idea.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Sue Lau, its so simple yet so delicious!
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
I am such a big fan of mac N cheese and make it all the time in a number of different ways. You have definitely created a kick in your recipe.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Peter! Glad to have the approval of a mac n cheese connoisseur 😀
Sarah @ The Charming Detroiter says
Oh my gosh I love this! I am a huge fan of mac and cheese (who isn't!) and we love Mexican food in our house, we have it at least once a week. I will have to put this one the menu next week!
Emma Walton says
Glad you like it Sarah 😀 it sounds like this recipe was made for you and your family! Enjoy x
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
Wow, I love this, will have to try it soon, we adore macaroni cheese. My kids might like it before adding the toppings though! (silly things, they will be missing out)
Emma Walton says
Haha that's the best bit though Lucy - more toppings for you!!! 🙂
lisa says
Yes yes yes! Love the dish too...super cute! xx
Donna says
Oh yum, this sounds all kinds of amazing! I love love love tex-mdx flavours, so this is right up my alley 🙂
Emma Walton says
Thanks Donna glad you like it x
nicole says
My boyfriend will die over this! Not only are we huge mac n' cheese fans, but he can't get enough spice in his life! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Emma Walton says
Sounds perfect for you guys then Nicole 😀 if you do try it let me know what your boyfriend thinks!
Sara says
Ooh! I love jalapenos. I love mac n cheese.... what a great combo!!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Sara!
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
Awesome! High 5 for the recipe, who doesn't love mac and cheese? Mexican style is even better.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Charla - my thoughts exactly!
Santiago says
Great twist to a classic recipe like mac and cheese!! Awesome!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
SO much deliciousness! I love me some Tex Mex flavours, it reminds me of my time working at Summer camp, fun and yum. Can't wait to give it a go. 🙂
Emma Walton says
Tex Mex is my absolute favourite so you're in good company! I had a friend who worked in summer camps and I'm so jealous of all her stories! I hope this brings back good memories 🙂
MissPond says
This looks wonderful!!! I have just pinned it for later 🙂
Emma Walton says
Thanks Miss Pond! Glad you like it 😀
Prateek says
This really looks nice, love the use of chipotle, I am going to try these out replacing the jalapenoes with Serrano for more heat 🙂
Emma Walton says
Great suggestion Prateek! Turn up the heat!
Glamorous Glutton says
I love this recipe. I sometimes think Mac n cheese can be a bit bland but this certainly has a zing. GG
Emma Walton says
Plain old mac and cheese can be a bit boring can't it? No chance of bland here though 😀 glad you like it!