Queso Macaroni and Cheese

My girls are huge fans of macaroni and cheese and to be honest, I am too! There is just something so comforting about a nice bowl of warm macaroni and cheese and this one certainly hits the spot. It is creamy, cheesy with just a hint of spiciness. Definitely worth making.

I am also a huge fan of queso, so this meal is a perfect one for me and my girls. A meal that makes me look forward to leftover night.

Queso Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 ounces ground Chorizo sausage
• 1 large jalapeno, seeds removed and diced
• 1/2 cup red pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 1/2 cup fat free milk
• 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cup colby jack cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and return to pan.
2. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, brown Chorizo. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
3. Add the butter to the same saucepan the Chorizo was cooked in and melt.
4. Once melted add the onion, jalapeno and red pepper, cooking for 3-5 minutes or until soft.
5. Add in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer vegetables to same bowl as Chorizo.
6. In a small bowl combine the flour and milk stirring to break up an lumps.
7. Pour the mixture into same saucepan the vegetables and Chorizo was cooked in.
8. Turn heat to medium and whisk in cumin, cayenne and ground mustard. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens.
9. Once the sauce has thickened, remove from heat and slowly stir in cheese mixing well until all cheese is melted.
10. Add the Chorizo and vegetables to the Queso sauce, mixing to combine.
11. Pour Queso sauce over noodles and mix well.

Enjoy!!!

Serves: 8
Calories: 440.6
Total Fat: 18.5g
   Saturated: 9.3g
   Polyunsaturated: 0.1g
   Monounsaturated: 0.1g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 42.2mg
Sodium: 674.1mg
Potassium: 105.9mg
Total Carbs: 48.3g
   Dietary Fiber: 2.5g
   Sugars: 5.0g
Protein: 20.4
Vitamin A: 11.5%
Vitamin C: 54.1%
Calcium: 27.4%
Iron: 12.6%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Comfortably Domestic.