Description

This Mexican Mac and Cheese combines the rich creaminess of mac and cheese with smoky, bold Mexican flavors, creating a deliciously comforting dish. Packed with tender pasta, seasoned pork sausage, salsa verde, and melted Mexican blend cheese, it’s perfect for a hearty dinner the whole family will love. Topped with fresh tomatoes and cilantro, this flavorful twist on a classic is bound to become a favorite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta and Main Ingredients

1 pound dry rigatoni pasta (1 box)
1 tablespoon olive oil
16 ounces pork sausage (bulk or casings removed)
1/2 onion, chopped

Seasoning, Sauce, and Additions

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)

Optional Garnishes

Diced cherry tomatoes, for garnish
Fresh cilantro, for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray, or line it with foil for easier cleanup. Set the dish aside.
Cook the Pasta
In a large pot of salted water, cook the rigatoni pasta to al dente as per the package instructions. Then, drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
Cook the Sausage and Aromatics
While the pasta is cooking, heat the 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.
Add Seasoning and Sauce
When the sausage is almost cooked through, mix in the taco seasoning and chopped green chiles (including their juices). Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the seasonings to meld.
Incorporate the Salsa
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the salsa verde until everything is well combined. This mixture will serve as the flavorful base for the dish.
Layer the Pasta and Cheese
Combine the cooked rigatoni pasta with the sausage mixture. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of this pasta mixture. Sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top. Add the remaining pasta mixture and finish by adding another layer of 8 ounces of cheese.
Bake and Garnish
Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling. For added texture and freshness, garnish with diced cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

For a spicier version, opt for hot sausage or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Swap rigatoni for another tubular pasta like penne or ziti for variety.
If you want to prep ahead, the dish can be assembled and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
Calories: 550
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 1150mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 80mg