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–+ servings

Chipotle Mac & Cheese

Chipotle meets mac and cheese for the best combination of flavors that's smokey, cheesy, and oh so flavorful! The crispy cheese on top and the velvety creamy cheese sauce inside will have you going for the next bite without putting your fork down. It's the perfect fusion of flavors and with some chicken, this Mac and cheese is definitely a main, not side dish!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Yields6 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 3 cups heavy cream room temp or warm
  • 3 tablespoons cream cheese room temp
  • 1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar shredded
  • 1 cup colby jack shredded
  • 1/2 cup smoked gouda shredded
  • more shredded cheese for topping
  • 1 teaspoon paprika, smoked or regular
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/3 cup adobo paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
  • pinch of cayenne powder
  • chopped cilantro, to garnish
  • crumbled cotija, to garnish

Instructions 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook a minute below al dente. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven.
  2. Preheat oven to low broil setting.
  3. Heat a saucepan or pot over medium heat. Add the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute until it just starts to bubble and turns a yellow golden color.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream slowly and whisk continuously until smooth. Then add the minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, cayenne powder, adobo paste, and cream cheese. Whisk together until smooth. Continue to cook the sauce for 3 to 4 minutes or until it thickens and just starts to bubble. Do not boil!
  5. Take off the heat and immediately add the sharp cheddar cheese. Mix until completely melted, then add the colby jack and mix until completely combined in the sauce. Finally add the smoked gouda and mix one last time until there are no more clumps and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust anything to your liking.
  6. Once the pasta is done cooking, drain it completely and toss it into the sauce immediately. Mix together in a large baking dish. Cover the top with shredded cheese.
  7. Pop in the oven to cook and broil for a few minutes just until the top is golden and crispy - make sure to monitor it closely!
  8. Top it off with chopped cilantro and cotija and enjoy.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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