Best 9 Easy Mexican Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds with a fusion of flavors you've never imagined? Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that combines the fiery heat of Mexican spices with the comforting goodness of American mac and cheese. In this article, we'll uncover the secret to crafting the ultimate Mexican mac and cheese, a dish that promises to transport you to a world of gustatory bliss. With its rich, creamy texture and the perfect balance of spice and cheese, this recipe is set to become a staple in your kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's dive into the world of easy Mexican mac and cheese!

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

QUESO MACARONI AND CHEESE



Queso Macaroni and Cheese image

Oh yes we did! This creamy, zippy spin on macaroni and cheese is a queso lover's dream come true. Top with your favorite fresh toppings for a simple casserole that no one can resist.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 package (16 oz) uncooked penne pasta
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cans (4.5 oz each) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 package (16 oz) Kraft™ Velveeta™ original cheese product, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
2 medium plum (Roma) tomatoes, chopped
1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • Meanwhile, in 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, cumin and salt; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peppers are just starting to soften. Transfer to small bowl; stir in green chiles, and reserve.
  • Return Dutch oven to medium heat; melt butter in Dutch oven. With whisk, stir in flour until smooth. Cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
  • Gradually stir in milk. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; reduce heat to medium. Stir in Velveeta™ cheese, and cook until melted, stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta and reserved vegetables. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into baking dish; top with Cheddar cheese.
  • Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly and cheese is melted. Top with remaining ingredients.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Carbohydrate 53 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1120 mg, Sugar 11 g, TransFat 1/2 g

SIMPLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Simple Macaroni and Cheese image

A very quick and easy fix to a tasty side-dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many exotic and expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This recipe is cheap and tasty.

Provided by g0dluvsugly

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (8 ounce) box elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture while continuously stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese to milk mixture and stir until cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Fold macaroni into cheese sauce until coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 26.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 777 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

BAKED MEXICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Mexican Macaroni and Cheese image

Olé! Reduced-fat ingredients make indulging in mac and cheese almost guilt free.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 2/3 cups uncooked penne pasta (8 oz)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 cups Yoplait® Fat Free plain yogurt (from 2-lb container)
4 oz light process American cheese product loaf (from deli), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican 4-cheese blend (4 oz)
1/4 cup Progresso™ plain bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package; set aside.
  • In 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, mustard, salt, pepper and garlic; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender. Stir in flour. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Remove from heat.
  • Stir in yogurt, stirring constantly. Gently stir in cheeses; stir in pasta. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
  • Bake uncovered about 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450, Carbohydrate 64 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 890 mg, Sugar 10 g, TransFat 0 g

MEXICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Mexican Macaroni and Cheese image

For a classic casserole with a little more grown-up taste, give our Test Kitchen's zesty macaroni and cheese a try.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1-1/2 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese, divided
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in lime juice. Stir in 1-1/2 cups cheddar cheese and 1 cup pepper Jack cheese until melted. , Remove from the heat. Stir in the jalapeno, chili powder and salt. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce and toss to coat. , Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Top with remaining cheeses; sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts :

EASY MEXICAN MAC AND CHEESE



Easy Mexican Mac and Cheese image

Creamy, cheesy, spicy...and cooks up easily in your crockpot even if you don't have a kitchen. At your desk at work? Yes! Anywhere with an electrical outlet! This is not one of those "dump and go" recipes as you can't leave your crockpot unattended, but a tastier alternative to boxed mac and cheese. It is not, however, better texture or taste than from-scratch mac and cheese on the stove. This recipe was created for a crockpot cooking contest and truthfully, you will love it even more it you make the recipe in a pot on the stove. You can always transfer to a crockpot for party-style serving. Enjoy!

Provided by FLKeysJen

Categories     Cheese

Time 2h5m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
1/2 cup mexican lager beer (such as Corona)
4 slices bacon, diced
10 ounces rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (not drained)
8 ounces cream cheese
2 cups milk
12 ounces monterey jack pepper cheese, cubed (I used one and a half 8 oz. blocks of KRAFT Natural Pepper Jack)
green onion, sliced
tortilla chips, crushed

Steps:

  • SPRAY crockpot with cooking spray.
  • DUMP pasta, then all other ingredients (except garnishes) in your crockpot.
  • COOK ON HIGH for at least 45 minutes without disturbing; from that point on, stir every half hour or so, checking to see if the pasta is done (based on the reviews it can take anywhere between 45 minutes and two hours). When your pasta is cooked, proceed to Step #4.
  • SERVE -- topped generously with green onions and crushed tortilla chips! Be sure to turn off the crockpot or switch to the warm setting, so the pasta doesn't get mushy.

MEXICAN MAC-N-CHEESE



Mexican Mac-n-Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 red pepper, seeded, cut into 1/4-inch dice
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons chile powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 all-purpose flour
4 cups milk, cold
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound mini rigatoni, cooked al dente according to package directions
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, for garnish
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, minced, for garnish
1/4 cup pickled jalapenos, drained, minced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Add the butter, corn, onions, red peppers, garlic and 1 teaspoon of salt to a medium saucepot set over medium-high heat. Saute until the onions are translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cumin, chile powder, cayenne pepper and flour and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, to make a roux, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the cold milk in a steady stream, stirring vigorously until the mixture is smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until starting to thicken, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack. Cook until the sauce is smooth and creamy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the scallions, pepper and rigatoni and mix well to combine.
  • Pour the into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle the panko evenly over the top and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Remove to a cooling rack and let rest for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Garnish with the cotija, jalapeno and cilantro. Serve immediately.

MEXICAN-STYLE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Mexican-style Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Sandra Lee

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 package macaroni and cheese mix
1 tablespoon Mexican seasonings
3/4 cup Mexican cheese blend

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Make macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Transfer to a medium-size baking dish or casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle Mexican seasonings over top of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle cheese blend over top to cover. Place in oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

BAKED TOMATO MAC 'N CHEESE



Baked Tomato Mac 'n Cheese image

Watch out! This delicious macaroni and cheese recipe will have you making mac 'n' cheese from scratch instead of from a box forever. You and your family will be enjoying the warm, creamy, cheesy, comfort-foody deliciousness quicker than you think-perfect for a school night! And with the surprise of a bit of Mexican flavor, you'll be number one in their books.

Provided by Diana71

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Hunt's

Time 1h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons flour
16 ounces shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
1 (14.5 ounce) can Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes, drained
2 (7 ounce) cans salsa verde
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Whisk milk and flour together in a small bowl.
  • Melt butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Pour in milk/flour mixture; stir constantly until thickened. Add most of the cheese, reserving a few tablespoons to sprinkle over top before baking. Mix in drained tomatoes, and salsa verde. Continue stirring until cheese is melted. Season to taste with black pepper. Stir in macaroni and thoroughly blend with the sauce.
  • Divide among individual serving-sized ovenproof baking dishes or ramekins. Top with remaining cheese. and bake 10 minutes. Place under broiler for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until top is browned.
  • Bake in preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler and cook until tops are browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 703.1 calories, Carbohydrate 70.6 g, Cholesterol 95.9 mg, Fat 33.7 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 29 g, SaturatedFat 22.4 g, Sodium 1086.5 mg, Sugar 8.5 g

MEXICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Mexican Macaroni and Cheese image

An easy to fix meal using your left over macaroni and cheese made into something new. It is a huge family favorite at my house! I made this up one day trying to figure out something for dinner and all I had was leftover macaroni and cheese and just threw some things together into a fantastic meal.

Provided by Cre8tive Kitchen

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 -2 cup tortilla chips (broken into small pieces)
1 lb hamburger
1 (1 1/2 ounce) package taco seasoning mix (any flavor)
1 (10 ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies (I use mild but spicier can be used) or 1/2 cup salsa, any flavor
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup olive, diced (saving some out for later)
1/2 cup tomatoes or 1/2 cup lettuce

Steps:

  • Break up the tortilla chips until you have between 1-2 cups depending on how much crunch you want in your meal.
  • Cook the hamburger and drain the fat; make the taco meat according to the package directions.
  • In a bowl, mix the leftover macaroni and cheese, taco meat, tomatoes or salsa, and the olives (set aside some olives for the top). Set aside.
  • Spray a large baking dish (8x13 rectangle) with cooking spray and layer the broken tortilla chips on the bottom;.
  • top with the macaroni mixture;.
  • top with shredded cheese and olives.
  • bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
  • Top with sour cream, tomatoes, salsa, or lettuce as desired after meal is cooked.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 274.8, Fat 19.5, SaturatedFat 9.8, Cholesterol 78.9, Sodium 415.5, Carbohydrate 3.1, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.1, Protein 21.3

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: The cheese is the star of the show in this dish, so make sure to use a good quality cheese that melts well. A sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of both is a good option.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni: The macaroni should be cooked al dente, meaning it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it. If you overcook the macaroni, it will become mushy and the dish will be less enjoyable.
  • Use a flavorful salsa: The salsa is what gives this dish its Mexican flavor, so make sure to use a salsa that you enjoy. A medium or spicy salsa is a good option, but you can use a milder salsa if you prefer.
  • Add some extra vegetables: If you want to add some extra vegetables to this dish, you can add chopped bell peppers, onions, or corn. Just be sure to cook the vegetables before adding them to the macaroni and cheese.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings: This dish is delicious served with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, or pico de gallo. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped cilantro or chili powder for extra flavor.

Conclusion:

Mexican mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. It is a great way to use up leftover macaroni and cheese, or to simply enjoy a cheesy, flavorful meal. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious Mexican mac and cheese that the whole family will love.

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