This Mexican Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food with a south-of-the-border twist! Tender rigatoni pasta combined with savory pork sausage, zesty taco seasoning, and smothered in two layers of melty Mexican cheese creates a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in less than an hour, this cheesy pasta bake brings together the best of Mexican flavors and classic mac and cheese for a dinner that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters won’t be able to resist this cheesy, flavorful pasta dish. It’s got just the right balance of familiar and exciting flavors.
Make-Ahead Magic: You can prep this dish earlier in the day and simply pop it in the oven when you’re ready for dinner – perfect for those hectic evenings!
Customizable: Add more heat, swap proteins, or throw in extra veggies based on what you have on hand. This recipe rolls with whatever changes you want to make.
Comfort Food Upgrade: This isn’t your ordinary mac and cheese – the Mexican-inspired ingredients take a classic comfort food to delicious new heights.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Rigatoni pasta: The tubular shape is perfect for catching all that cheesy sauce. The ridges on rigatoni hold sauce beautifully, but any medium pasta shape will work.
Olive oil: Just a touch to help cook the sausage and onions without sticking to the pan.
Pork sausage: Brings amazing flavor and hearty texture. Use spicy or mild depending on your heat preference.
Onion: Adds essential aromatic flavor that forms the foundation of many great dishes. Dice it finely if you have onion-hesitant eaters.
Taco seasoning: The shortcut to complex Mexican flavors! This spice blend adds depth without requiring a cabinet full of individual spices.
Green chiles: These mild, tangy chiles add authentic Mexican flavor without overwhelming heat. Don’t drain them – that liquid adds moisture.
Salsa verde: The secret ingredient that transforms ordinary mac and cheese into something special. The tangy, slightly acidic flavor cuts through the richness of the cheese.
Mexican blend cheese: The star of the show! This mix typically includes varieties like cheddar, Monterey Jack, asadero, and queso quesadilla for the perfect melt and flavor.
Cherry tomatoes: Optional garnish that adds fresh brightness and a pop of color to the finished dish.
Fresh cilantro: Another optional garnish that brings herbaceous freshness and authentic Mexican flair.

Variations

Protein Options

Switch up the protein by using ground beef, chicken, turkey, or chorizo instead of pork sausage. For a vegetarian version, try black beans or soyrizo.

Heat Level Adjustments

Like it spicy? Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or a dash of hot sauce. For milder palates, stick with the recipe as written or use mild salsa verde.

Pasta Possibilities

Any short pasta works great here – try shells, elbow macaroni, cavatappi, or penne. Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta can be substituted for dietary needs.

Cheese Choices

While Mexican blend is perfect, you can experiment with combinations of sharp cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or even a touch of crumbled queso fresco on top after baking.

How to Make Mexican Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or foil. Get your pasta water boiling with a generous pinch of salt.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Cook the rigatoni until it’s al dente – still slightly firm when bitten. This is important because the pasta will continue cooking in the oven. Drain well when done.

Step 3: Prepare the Meat Mixture

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and onion, breaking the sausage into small pieces as it browns.

Step 4: Add Seasonings

When the sausage is almost cooked through, sprinkle in the taco seasoning and stir in the green chiles with their liquid. This creates a flavorful base for your sauce.

Step 5: Complete the Sauce

Once the sausage is fully cooked, remove from heat and stir in the salsa verde until everything is well combined. The sauce should look loose but not watery.

Step 6: Layer Your Ingredients

Mix the cooked pasta with the sausage mixture, then spread half of it in your prepared baking dish. Top with half the cheese, add the remaining pasta mixture, and finish with the rest of the cheese.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and starting to get golden on top. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Top with diced cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro before serving for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Since it will continue cooking in the oven, aim for slightly firmer than al dente when boiling.
Layer Don’t Stir: The layering technique creates pockets of melty cheese throughout the dish rather than just mixing it all together.
Rest Before Serving: Letting the dish sit for about 5 minutes after baking allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to serve neat portions.
Season Your Pasta Water: Adding salt to your pasta water is your only chance to season the pasta itself, so don’t skip this step!
Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent perfect melting. For the creamiest results, buy blocks and grate them yourself.

How to Serve

Main Event

This hearty dish stands perfectly on its own as a complete meal, but pairs beautifully with simple sides that complement its rich flavors.

Side Dish Pairings

Serve with a crisp green salad dressed with lime vinaigrette, simple roasted vegetables, or Mexican street corn for a complete meal.

Topping Bar

Set up a DIY topping station with diced avocado, sour cream, extra salsa, pickled jalapeños, and lime wedges so everyone can customize their portion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop nicely as it sits!

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully. Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of milk to keep it creamy. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s still cold from the refrigerator.

What can I substitute for salsa verde?
If you can’t find salsa verde, you can use regular tomato salsa, though the flavor profile will change. For a closer match, try a combination of 1 cup of regular salsa mixed with 2 tablespoons of lime juice and a handful of chopped cilantro.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Simply omit the pork sausage and substitute with 2 cans of drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans. You could also use a plant-based meat substitute or extra-firm tofu crumbled and seasoned with the same taco seasoning.

Is this dish too spicy for kids?
As written, this recipe is flavorful but mild. The heat level comes primarily from the salsa verde and taco seasoning you choose. Opt for mild versions of both if serving to children or those sensitive to spice. You can always offer hot sauce on the side for heat-lovers!

Final Thoughts

This Mexican Mac and Cheese brings together two beloved comfort foods in one incredible dish. The familiar creaminess of mac and cheese gets a flavorful upgrade with Mexican-inspired ingredients that’ll make this recipe a regular request at your dinner table. It’s simple enough for weeknights but special enough for entertaining, and with all the possible variations, you’ll never get bored. Give it a try tonight – I’m confident it’ll become a new favorite in your recipe collection!

Mexican Mac and Cheese Recipe