If you’re craving a bold and comforting dish, this chorizo queso mac and cheese is exactly what you need! Combining smoky chorizo with creamy, cheesy queso sauce, this recipe takes classic mac and cheese to the next level. Perfect for cozy dinners or indulgent treats, chorizo queso mac and cheese is packed with rich flavor and satisfying texture.
Method (Detailed)
Start by cooking the beef and chorizo in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef and pork chorizo, breaking them up as they cook until they’re no longer pink. Once the meat is cooked, add the spice blend ingredients: coarse salt, paprika, oregano, cumin, and black pepper. Stir the spices into the meat mixture to ensure it’s evenly seasoned. Then, add the red enchilada sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, garlic purée, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and apple cider vinegar to the skillet. Mix everything together and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and create a rich, flavorful base for the mac n’ cheese.
While the meat mixture is simmering, prepare the pasta. Cook it to 50% of the time suggested on the package. This is important because the pasta will continue to cook while it bakes in the oven, and cooking it less ensures it doesn’t become too soft or mushy. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside.
For the queso sauce, combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, cheddar powder, red enchilada sauce, and milk in a large mixing bowl. Use a whisk or spoon to blend the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This will create a cheesy, flavorful sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
Once the beef and chorizo mixture is done, combine it with the cooked pasta in a large baking dish. Pour the smooth queso sauce over the top, making sure to mix everything together so that the pasta is evenly coated in the cheesy goodness. Place the dish in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is melted and slightly crispy at the edges.
If you prefer using a slow cooker, combine all the ingredients (beef, chorizo, spice blend, pasta, and queso sauce) in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, until everything is heated through and the flavors have melded together. Once baked or slow-cooked, serve hot. For an extra burst of freshness, you can garnish the dish with chopped cilantro. Enjoy this flavorful and hearty comfort food!
Necessary Tools
- Large skillet or pan
- Slow cooker (optional)
- Baking dish
- Large pot for pasta
- Mixing bowl for the queso sauce
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Chorizo Queso Mac and Cheese Recipe
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesIngredients
32oz 93% ground beef
8oz pork chorizo
Spice Blend:
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon ground paprika
1 tablespoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
120g red enchilada sauce
14oz (400g) can of fire roasted tomatoes
2 tablespoons garlic purée
1 tablespoon chipotle peppers
1 tablespoon adobo sauce
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 orange bell peppers
2 red bell peppers
1 onion
672g pasta, cooked to 50% (half the cooking time on the box)
Blended Queso Sauce:
800g 2% cottage cheese
100g 1/3 fat cream cheese
150g extra sharp cheddar cheese
30g cheddar powder
240g red enchilada sauce
300ml milk
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: chopped cilantro
Directions
- Start by cooking the beef and chorizo in a large skillet over medium heat. Once browned, add the spice blend ingredients (coarse salt, paprika, oregano, cumin, and black pepper) and mix well. Next, add the enchilada sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, garlic purée, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and apple cider vinegar to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Meanwhile, prepare the pasta by cooking it to 50% of the time shown on the package (this will prevent the pasta from getting too soft when baked). Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- For the queso sauce, blend the cottage cheese, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, cheddar powder, red enchilada sauce, and milk in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the beef and chorizo mixture is done, combine it with the cooked pasta in a large baking dish. Pour the queso sauce over the top and mix everything together to coat the pasta. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Slow Cooker Instructions: If you prefer using a slow cooker, combine all the ingredients (beef, chorizo, spice blend, pasta, and queso sauce) and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 3-4 hours.
- Once baked, serve hot, and for an extra burst of freshness, garnish with chopped cilantro.
Notes
- When cooking the beef and chorizo, be sure to drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- If using the slow cooker, ensure that the pasta is cooked to only 50% so it doesn’t become mushy while cooking.
- If you like your mac n’ cheese extra cheesy, feel free to add more cheddar cheese to the queso sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This Chorizo Queso Mac n’ Cheese is the perfect comfort food on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a side salad, garlic bread, or grilled veggies. For a complete meal, serve with a side of grilled chicken or a light, refreshing cucumber salad to balance out the richness.
Fun Fact
Did you know that chorizo, a key ingredient in this dish, is a great source of protein and adds a spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with cheese and pasta? It’s a popular ingredient in many cuisines, especially in Spain and Mexico.
Conclusion
This chorizo queso mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food with a spicy, cheesy twist. It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Once you try this chorizo queso mac and cheese, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
