Description
This Mexican Mac and Cheese recipe elevates a classic comfort dish with bold spices, savory pork sausage, and vibrant green chiles, all baked to cheesy perfection. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, it combines tender rigatoni pasta with a flavorful salsa verde and Mexican blend cheese, topped with fresh cherry tomatoes and cilantro for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 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 (1 can, undrained)
- 16 ounces salsa verde
- 16 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese (2 bags)
Garnish
- Diced cherry tomatoes, for garnish
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line it with foil for easy cleanup. Set aside.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Cook Sausage and Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork sausage and chopped onion, using a spatula to crumble the sausage as it cooks until nearly done.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the taco seasoning and chopped green chiles with their juices. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Mix in Salsa Verde: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the salsa verde until the mixture is well combined, forming the flavorful base of the dish.
- Assemble Layers: Combine the cooked rigatoni with the sausage mixture. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over it, add the remaining pasta mixture, and finish with the remaining 8 ounces of cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with diced cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro before serving to add freshness and a pop of color.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or turkey for pork sausage if preferred.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sausage mixture.
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and less additives.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make this dish milder, reduce the amount of taco seasoning or omit the green chiles.
