Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese

Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with this smoky, creamy Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese! This bold spin on a classic features al dente elbow macaroni bathed in a velvety, flavor-packed cheese sauce made with cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan. A hint of smoky paprika and Dijon-style ground mustard rounds out the flavors, while chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce bring a spicy, smoky kick that's simply irresistible. Perfected with a crispy breadcrumb topping and baked to golden perfection (optional, but highly recommended), this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or special occasions. With its blend of creamy, spicy, and smoky notes, this chipotle mac and cheese will add flair to any table!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp Ground mustard
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 2 tbsp Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (chopped)
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (for topping, optional)
• 1 tbsp Olive oil or melted butter (for topping, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden, creating a roux.

Step 3

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, making sure the mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in smoked paprika, ground mustard, garlic powder, and chopped chipotle peppers with adobo sauce. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 5

Lower the heat and add the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce, one handful at a time, stirring until completely melted and smooth.

Step 6

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.

Step 7

If desired, transfer the macaroni and cheese to a greased, oven-safe baking dish. Combine breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle the mixture over the top.

Step 8

Optional step: Broil the dish on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy.

Step 9

Serve the Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese warm, garnished with additional cheese or a small sprinkle of smoked paprika, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2009.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5452.3

Total Fat 320.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 186.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 887.1mg	0%
Sodium 6532.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 416.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.9g	0%
Total Sugars 57.8g
Protein 218.2g	0%

Vitamin D 394.1IU	0%
Calcium 4726.6mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 1913.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.2%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 30.7%