Southwest Fiesta Mac & Cheese
Dive into a mouthwatering dish that combines the best of southwestern flavors with the timeless comfort of mac and cheese. This Southwest Fiesta Mac & Cheese features a tantalizing blend of oozy cheeses like Swiss and pepper jack, complemented by a zesty tomatillo and jalapeño sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner, you can add cooked chorizo or sausage for a heartier meal. For a splash of color, finish with vibrant chopped red peppers or green onions. Just remember to keep an eye on it under the broiler to avoid any culinary mishaps – we want delicious, not flaming! Serve with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess and savor every bite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
macaroni
1 lb (uncooked)
tomatillo
1 lb (husked and halved)
onion
1 (peeled and halved)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
jalapenos
2 (cleaned, seeded, and chopped)
milk
2 cups (whole or low-fat)
honey
2 teaspoons (for sweetness)
cumin
1 teaspoon (ground)
lime
1 (juiced)
fresh cilantro
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
butter
3 tablespoons (unsalted)
vegetable broth
1 cup (low-sodium)
swiss cheese
1 cup (shredded)
monterey jack cheese
1 cup (shredded)
tortilla chips
2 cups (crushed)
monterey jack pepper cheese
1 cup (shredded)
sour cream
1 cup (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your broiler to high, ensuring it's hot and ready.
2
Husk and rinse the tomatillos, then cut them in half and pulse them in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
3
Peel the onion, halve it, and add it to the food processor to chop until finely diced.
4
Remove the seeds from the jalapeños, chop them, and add to the processor with the onion and tomatillos for a vibrant mix.
5
Transfer this mixture to a medium saucepan, then add minced garlic, cumin, and a pinch of salt. Simmer over low heat for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6
Squeeze in the juice of one lime and stir in the chopped cilantro, blending the flavors.
7
Meanwhile, cook the macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and return to the hot pot.
8
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, whisk in the flour, and cook for one minute, stirring continuously.
9
Pour in the milk and vegetable broth, seasoning with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, stirring frequently.
10
Gradually add the Swiss and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until completely melted and creamy.
11
Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked pasta, ensuring every piece is coated evenly.
12
In a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, layer half of the mac and cheese mixture, followed by the tomatillo mix, then top with the remaining pasta.
13
Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips and Monterey Jack pepper cheese generously over the top.
14
Broil for just 2-4 minutes, keeping a close watch to achieve a beautiful golden brown – this is where it's crucial not to walk away!
15
Once broiled, remove from the oven and serve hot, accompanied by optional sour cream and garnished with fresh chopped red peppers or green onions.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southwest Fiesta Mac & Cheese?
It is a comfort food dish that combines traditional macaroni and cheese with southwestern flavors like tomatillo, jalapeño, and pepper jack cheese.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of macaroni, cooked until al dente.
How should the tomatillos be prepared?
Tomatillos should be husked, rinsed, cut in half, and then pulsed in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
Can I add meat to this mac and cheese?
Yes, you can add cooked chorizo or sausage to make the meal heartier.
Which cheeses are included in the recipe?
The dish uses a blend of Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and Monterey Jack pepper cheese.
How long does it take to broil the dish?
It should be broiled for 2 to 4 minutes. It is important to watch it closely to prevent burning.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has a kick due to the jalapeños and Monterey Jack pepper cheese, but seeds can be removed from the jalapeños to reduce heat.
What kind of milk should I use?
You can use either whole or low-fat milk for the cheese sauce.
What garnish is recommended?
Recommended garnishes include fresh chopped red peppers, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.
What size baking dish do I need?
A greased 9 x 13 baking dish is required for layering the pasta and sauce.
Why is honey used in the recipe?
Two teaspoons of honey are added to provide a touch of sweetness and balance the acidity of the tomatillos.
How do I make the cheese sauce?
Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk and vegetable broth until thickened, then stir in the Swiss and Monterey Jack cheeses.
What role does cumin play in this dish?
Cumin is added to the tomatillo mixture to provide an earthy, southwestern flavor profile.
How are the tortilla chips used?
Two cups of crushed tortilla chips are sprinkled over the top before broiling to add a crunchy texture.
Do I need to cook the tomatillo mixture?
Yes, it should be simmered in a saucepan with garlic, cumin, and salt for about 10 minutes.
What ingredients are in the tomatillo sauce?
It consists of tomatillos, onion, jalapeños, garlic, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro.
Is the vegetable broth necessary?
The vegetable broth is used alongside milk to create the base for the creamy cheese sauce.
Can I use fresh cilantro?
Yes, 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh cilantro is stirred into the tomatillo mixture at the end of simmering.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
What is the order of layering?
Layer half the mac and cheese, then the tomatillo mix, then the remaining pasta, followed by chips and cheese.
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifies 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Can I substitute the Monterey Jack pepper cheese?
You can use regular Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack if you cannot find the specific pepper cheese blend.
How do I prevent a "culinary mishap" while cooking?
The recipe warns to keep a close eye on the dish while it is under the broiler so it doesn't catch fire.
What is the serving suggestion?
Serve the dish hot with an optional dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal and is suitable for family dinners.
Can I prepare the onions without a food processor?
While a food processor is suggested for speed, you can finely dice the onions by hand.
What kind of jalapeños should I use?
Use two fresh jalapeños that have been cleaned, seeded, and chopped.
Does this recipe contain fiber information?
The provided data does not list specific nutritional values like fiber or calories.
Who is the inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe is noted as being Rachael Ray inspired.
Should the macaroni be rinsed after draining?
No, simply drain the pasta and return it to the hot pot before mixing with the cheese sauce.