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Green Chile Mac and Cheese

Creamy, tangy mac and cheese elevated with roasted green chiles and sharp Cheddar. A trendy Southwestern comfort food that balances heat and creaminess.

30 minEasyServes 4520 cal/serving

SouthwesternDinnerStovetopVegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup roasted green chiles (canned or fresh), drained, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook 1 lb elbow pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  2. 2

    In a large saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour to form a roux, stirring for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Remove from heat and stir in 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded until melted and smooth.

  5. 5

    Add cooked pasta, 1/2 cup drained, chopped roasted green chiles (canned or fresh), 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.

  6. 6

    Serve immediately while warm, or transfer to a baking dish, top with extra cheddar, and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until bubbly.

Questions

Can I make Green Chile Mac and Cheese dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (2 tbsp butter, 2 cups whole milk, 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free dinner collection instead.

Can I make Green Chile Mac and Cheese gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb elbow pasta, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time; the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Green Chile Mac and Cheese keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Green Chile Mac and Cheese?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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