Southwestern Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

Name: Southwestern Macaroni & Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for salting the pasta water; 1 lb fusilli or 1 lb rotini pasta; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or 2 tablespoons canola oil; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (1 cup); 1 cup finely diced bell pepper (preferably green and red); ¼ cup finely chopped fresh jalapeno pepper, stems and seeds removed; 3 cups heavy cream; 2 cups firmly packed shredded monterey jack cheese (about 1/2 pound) or 2 cups monterey jack pepper cheese (about 1/2 pound); 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (or diced, about 1 chicken breast); ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; ½ cup sour cream, for garnish; ¼ teaspoon minced chipotle chile (from canned chipotles in adobo); ½ cup thinly sliced scallion, for garnish

Servings: persons

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for salting the pasta water
1 lb fusilli or 1 lb rotini pasta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or 2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup finely diced bell pepper (preferably green and red)
¼ cup finely chopped fresh jalapeno pepper, stems and seeds removed
3 cups heavy cream
2 cups firmly packed shredded monterey jack cheese (about 1/2 pound) or 2 cups monterey jack pepper cheese (about 1/2 pound)
1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (or diced, about 1 chicken breast)
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
½ cup sour cream, for garnish
¼ teaspoon minced chipotle chile (from canned chipotles in adobo)
½ cup thinly sliced scallion, for garnish

1
Bring a medium (6- to 8-quart) pot of water to a boil; salt it generously; stir in the pasta and cook according to package directions; drain(do not rinse, or you'll rinse away starches that will help thicken the sauce) and return to the empty pot.
2
Meanwhile, place a large (12- to 14-inch) saute pan over med-high heat for several minutes.
3
When hot, add the butter or oil, onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos; saute until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
4
Add the heavy cream; bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium and simmer until the cream is reduced slightly, about 3 minutes.
5
Add in the cheese and chicken; stir well and cook over med-high heat until the cheese has melted and the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
6
Season with salt and pepper.
7
Stir the sauce into the cooked and drained pasta in the pot; place over medium heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce and allow the pasta to absorb the flavors, stirring now and again; if too thick, add a little more cream.
8
To make the garnish--in a small bowl, mix together the sour cream and minced chipotle.
9
Serve the macaroni and cheese in individual bowls topped with a dollop of the chipotle sour cream and a sprinkle of sliced scallions.
10
**Alternative--if you like the smoky-spicy flavor of the spices but want to avoid the extra fat in the sour cream garnish, just add a teaspoon of the sauce from the canned chipotles in adobo to the macaroni and cheese itself and skip the garnish altogether.
11
**OR, can use chipotle chile powder, New Mexico chile powder, or regular chile powder, to taste, instead of the canned chipotles.

1523

kcal

Calories

101

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for salting the pasta water, 1 lb fusilli or 1 lb rotini pasta, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (1 cup), and more.

Yes, Southwestern Macaroni & Cheese falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Southwestern Macaroni & Cheese

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions