Pantry Mexican Shells and Cheese

Turn your pantry staples into a weeknight fiesta with this irresistible Pantry Mexican Shells and Cheese. This creamy, cheesy dish combines tender shell pasta with a luscious homemade cheese sauce infused with bold Mexican flavors like cumin, chili powder, and garlic. A can of diced tomatoes with green chilies adds a tangy, slightly spicy kick, perfectly balancing the rich cheddar and Mexican blend cheeses. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dinner that’s easy to customize with toppings like fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream. Perfect for busy nights, this one-pot wonder is a flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese that’s sure to satisfy!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces medium shell pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 can (10 ounces) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0 optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, sour cream

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In the same pot used for cooking the pasta, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste.

Step 3

Slowly pour the milk into the roux while whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce. Let the mixture cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it begins to thicken.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Mexican blend cheese, a handful at a time, until fully melted and smooth.

Step 5

Add the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the liquid) to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with the ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 7

Return the cooked shell pasta to the pot and stir until the pasta is fully coated in the cheese sauce.

Step 8

Optional: Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, or a dollop of sour cream before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1399.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2685.5

Total Fat 142.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 88.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 451.9mg	0%
Sodium 4278.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 228.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.7g	0%
Total Sugars 38.6g
Protein 129.9g	0%

Vitamin D 219.2IU	0%
Calcium 3152.6mg	0%
Iron 7.8mg	0%
Potassium 1887.6mg	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: 47.2%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 33.6%