Taco Mac 'n Cheese
Mac 'n Cheese, the way our family likes it; with a Mexican twist - baked with guacamole, pineapple pico de gallo, sour cream and topped with infused breadcrumbs!
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole grain macaroni , boiled
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter , unsalted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- salt to taste
Guacamole
- 2 avocados
- 2 tsp jalapenos
- 2 tbsp cilantro
- lime juice to taste
- salt to taste
Pico de Gallo
- 1 cup tomatoes , deseeded and chopped
- 1 cup pineapple , finely chopped
- 1/2 cup onions , finely chopped
- 3 tbsp cilantro
- 1 tsp jalapenos to spice level
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- lime juice to taste
- salt to taste
Other Toppings:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 tbsp bread crumbs mixed with garlic powder, oregano and taco seasoning
- 3 tbsp tortilla chips , crushed
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350oF / 175oC.
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Boil some water with some salt in a large sauce pan and add the macaroni to it, once it starts boiling. Cook it al dente, because it will finish cooking in the oven. Let the pasta cool.
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Create a roux in a large saucepan by melting some butter and adding oil and flour. Whisk it until it becomes light brown and frothy.
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Gradually add the milk and whisk it so no lumps form.
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Add in the salt, sugar, and black pepper. Keep stirring the sauce until it coats the back of the spoon.
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Gradually add in the cheese and stir it so no lumps form. Mix in the macaroni.
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Put the Mac and Cheese in a cast iron skillet and top it off with the bread crumb mixture. Bake it for 10 minutes and then broil for a few minutes, until breadcrumbs are golden.
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For the guacamole mix together mashed avocados, jalapeños, cilantro, salt, and lemon.
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For the pico de gallo, mix together pineapple, tomatoes, cilantro, onions, jalapeños, hot sauce, oregano, salt, and lemon.
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Take the Mac and Cheese out of the oven and top it with the guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and some crushed tortilla chips.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs as they are larger and create a nice crunchy topping.
- I used a hand mixer to get rid of lumps while making the cheese sauce.
- I have used 2% milk, but you can use whole milk to make rich and creamy.