Description
This Mexican Mac and Cheese recipe combines creamy melted cheese with flavorful sausage, green chiles, and salsa verde to create a comforting and zesty baked pasta dish. Perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners, it features layers of rigatoni pasta, spicy pork sausage, and a Mexican cheese blend, baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh cherry tomatoes and cilantro.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Sausage Mixture
- 1 pound dry rigatoni pasta (1 box)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 ounces pork sausage (bulk or casings removed)
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 envelope)
- 4.5 ounces chopped green chiles (1 can, undrained)
- 16 ounces salsa verde
For the Cheese and Garnish
- 16 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese (2 bags)
- Diced cherry tomatoes, for garnish
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
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 to ensure easy cleanup. Set the dish aside for later layering.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage and Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork sausage and chopped onion, breaking up the sausage with a spatula as it cooks until it is mostly browned and cooked through.
- Add Seasoning and Sauce: Stir in the taco seasoning and the chopped green chiles (including their juices). Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Incorporate the Salsa Verde: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the salsa verde thoroughly, forming a flavorful base sauce mixture.
- Layer the Pasta and Cheese: Combine the drained rigatoni with the sausage mixture. Spread half of this mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly on top. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then finish with the remaining 8 ounces of cheese on top.
- Bake and Garnish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and garnish with diced cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro before serving for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of milk or cream to the sausage mixture before layering.
- If preferred, substitute pork sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta initially, as it will bake further in the oven.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning or green chiles to control the spice level as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
