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Home Breads/Pasta/Pizza

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers

By: Nicole 33 Comments
Posted: 02/26/14 Updated: 03/05/14

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers9

Welp, I’ve gone and done it.

I’ve created a recipe that combines my two favorite foods on the planet. Mac and cheese and Mexican. Somebody help me.

Except I guess Mexican isn’t really a food per se, and I, of all people know, you can’t just blanket all Mexican cuisine as e food in and of itself. There are tacos, enchiladas (my fav!), burritos, flautas, cheese dip, rice, chile rellenos, fajitas, carnitas – the list goes on and on. I love them all.

P.S I’m finally getting my Mexican restaurant fix on Friday. I’m seriously pumped.

Annnd I digress.

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers

As I was saying… Somebody please help me.

Why did I make mac and cheese when I’m in the midst of a smoothie diet? Did I honestly believe I could just have a bite or two? Couldn’t I have at least done myself the courtesy to use whole-wheat pasta? Or low-fat milk? 2% cheese?

My stomach would hear nothing of the sort.

Spicy Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese seed was planted in my head a few months back when I spotted jalapeno cheddar cheese at the grocery store and knew it would be a perfect topping for this chicken tortilla soup. I’m normally a pepper jack girl, but after trying my first bite, I became a jalapeno cheddar covert, and immediately vowed to make a special mac and cheese to showcase it.

The idea process went a little like this:

Jalapeno cheddar mac and cheese. Sounds good, but not quite right…

Jalapeno Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Chorizo. Closer…

Jalapeno Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano. I need another cheese…

Jalapeno Cheddar and Manchego Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers Yes! I need a topping though…

Jalapeno Cheddar and Manchego Mac and Cheese with Chorizo, Roasted Poblano Peppers and Buttered Bread Crumbs. Perfection.

Pure perfection it is, although I’ve cut down the title a tiny bit for fear of forcing eyes to go cross when trying to read it.

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers. Much better, yes?

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers 3

A few things.

The chorizo is of the Spanish variety; you can find it at pretty much any grocery store, although mine came from World Market. Spanish chorizo varies from Mexican chorizo in that it’s a bit firmer in texture and is fully cooked, whereas a Mexican chorizo is soft, similar to bulk sausage and typically comes raw. If you’re in a pinch, or can’t find Spanish, Mexican chorizo would work, and be delicious, but just know, it will turn your whole mac and cheese a bright orange color – you might be into that, in this case, I wasn’t.

I’m not too terribly fond of mac and cheese that is baked for a long period of time, especially when only milk is used. I find that it becomes dry and loses that uber creamy and luxurious texture I love some much. Instead, most of the cooking is done on the stovetop and then the whole thing is popped under the broiler just long enough to toast the breadcrumbs.

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers7

Spicy. Cheesy. Creamy. Carby. Three words, and one made up word I’m very fond of – and they describe this mac and cheese perfectly.

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers5

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers10

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers9

5.0 from 2 reviews
Spicy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo and Roasted Poblano Peppers
 
Print
Author: Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 1 pound pasta shells
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 quart warm whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups jalapeno cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups manchego cheese, shredded
  • 2 poblano peppers, roasted and chopped
  • 6 ounces Spanish chorizo, diced
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
  1. Turn the oven to broil, and put the oven rack on the bottom. Grease a 9X12 casserole dish.
  2. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until aldente. Drain, set aside.
  3. Melt two tablespoons butter in the same pot over a medium-heat. Whisk in flour, cook one minute.
  4. Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Turn heat down to low.
  5. In a small sauté pan, melt two tablespoons butter over a medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, stir until coated.
  6. Add salt and pasta back to pot. Slowly add in cheese, stirring to combine as you go. Once the mixture is creamy and all the cheese is added, throw in chopped poblano peppers and chorizo.
  7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  8. Pour mixture into prepared pan and sprinkle with panko. Broil just until the panko is golden brown.
3.2.2265

Meet Nicole

Welcome! My lifelong passion for delicious food and cooking has evolved over time into an equal love of showing you an elevated meal can be easy, approachable and most importantly, tasty. Dive in and find something perfect for you and your family!

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  1. Ashley says

    Posted on 2/27/14 at 9:21 pm

    Okay I’ve never seen jalapeno cheddar cheese but I am definitely keeping my eyes peeled for it! Because this also has manchego … which is my fav fav fav at the moment. How about your make some more for dinner and I can come and bring wine haha or margaritas … it is mexican after all : )

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      Posted on 2/27/14 at 9:32 pm

      Oooo yes you must. It was just a kraft brand, I think. Umm that sounds amaze balls. I wish all us food bloggers lived in the same state so we could do just that!

      Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    Posted on 2/27/14 at 10:50 pm

    Yes, yes, yes! Macaroni and cheese…how could you really go wrong? I’m currently in love with poblano peppers and actually! I’m about to stuff them with ground bison, feta cheese, and spinach for dinner tonight! What a coincidence. 🙂 Chorizo is awesome. It makes everything taste better doesn’t it?

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      Posted on 2/28/14 at 5:22 am

      Chorizo DEFINITELY makes everything taste better!!! Thanks Stephanie!

      Reply
  3. Gloria // Simply Gloria says

    Posted on 2/28/14 at 12:45 am

    Nicole, I’m in pure Mexican/Mac&Cheese heaven! Anything with spice like a *Mexican dish* is just, well…. all out Mexican! I love every bit of this dish. You’re awesome!

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      Posted on 2/28/14 at 5:23 am

      Thanks Gloria!!

      Reply
  4. Alaina {Fabtastic Eats} says

    Posted on 3/4/14 at 6:33 am

    oh my. You have combined two of my favorite things as well. Mouth.watering. I love every aspect of this! And Im seriously with you on the creamy mac and cheese. Drives me nuts when its baked so long that the cheese has basically evaporated. gah..keep it creamy! Love this!

    Reply
  5. Jeanette says

    Posted on 6/28/14 at 12:43 pm

    This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to make it!! I do have a question though. Do you peel the skin off the poblano after you roast them? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      Posted on 6/28/14 at 1:26 pm

      Jeanette — thanks! And yes you do! It’s fine if there are a few black specs left, I like the way it looks and tastes in the pasta!

      Reply
  6. daisy parker says

    Posted on 9/7/19 at 1:24 pm

    vaovv yummy recipe.

    Reply
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