Casseroles, Dinner, Recipes, Side Dishes / November 9, 2018

Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with Green Chilies

Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with green chilies is a fun, spicy twist on a family favorite: mac and cheese. This comfort food side dish pairs with just about anything and feeds a crowd!

Macaroni and cheese is truly my guiltiest pleasure. I was at a wedding last weekend and they had a macaroni and cheese bar with all the fixin’s. Stop. The. Presses. Any kind of pasta covered in creamy, cheesy sauce is my heaven on earth. One of the best things about mac and cheese is that you can essentially throw anything into it and it’s still deadly – bacon, onion, jalapeno, tomatoes, you name it.

Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with green chilies is a fun, spicy twist on a family favorite: mac and cheese. This comfort food side dish pairs with just about anything and feeds a crowd!

I’ve made this recipe for Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese a handful of times now and I think I won Austin over with it. As with any good Southwestern dish, the question is green chilies or red? For this recipe, I use green chilies and cumin for just the right amount of Southwestern flair without overpowering the star – cheese. That makes it the perfect side to any dinner (i.e. barbecue, Mexican, Southern food).

Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with green chilies is a fun, spicy twist on a family favorite: mac and cheese. This comfort food side dish pairs with just about anything and feeds a crowd!

Let’s talk cheese, please.

For this recipe, I use two cups of Monterey jack and one of sharp cheddar for a little zing. You can also use pepper jack, all cheddar, white cheddar, etc. Just remember you’re going for that Mexican/Southwest flavor so steer clear of anything smoky or nutty. With that said, I don’t think you can go wrong with cheese here… as long as it’s freshly grated. I KNOW it’s so much easier to buy cheese pre-shredded at the store but when you’re making macaroni and cheese, you don’t want all the “extras” that are tossed in to kill your vibe.

This recipe is for a BAKED macaroni and cheese. It’s never as creamy as a stovetop because the idea is that all the ingredients are baked together in a heaping spoonful of cheesy, carby goodness. And it’s great for parties and potlucks. With that said, you don’t HAVE to bake it; you can eat it right of the wooden spoon in all its gooey, creamy glory 😉

Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with green chilies is a fun, spicy twist on a family favorite: mac and cheese. This comfort food side dish pairs with just about anything and feeds a crowd!

Check out the recipe below and let me know what you think in the comments section. If you make this at home, post a picture to Instagram and tag me @bluecheesebungalow.

Kelsey Renee

Looking for a traditional macaroni and cheese recipe? Check out one of my most popular recipes –  Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese

Pin this recipe for Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese

Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with green chilies is a fun, spicy twist on a family favorite: mac and cheese. This comfort food side dish pairs with just about anything and feeds a crowd!

 

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