Step up your mac and cheese game with this Chorizo Mac and Cheese! Packed with bold chorizo crumbles, an ultra-creamy smoked cheddar cheese sauce, and a buttery toasted bread crumb topping, it’s the perfect 30-minute, Tex-Mex-style family dinner.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
When it boils, salt water and cook pasta until a little under done, just shy of al dente.
Meanwhile, heat 1 TBSP olive oil and 1 TBSP butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once butter has melted, add the breadcrumbs, and toast until golden, 2-3 minutes. Remove the breadcrumbs to a small bowl and wipe the skillet clean.
Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the chorizo. Cook the chorizo for 2-3 minutes then, add the canned tomatoes to the pan and heat them through. Remove from heat and reserve.
While chorizo begins to cook, heat a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 TBSP olive oil, then add the shallot. Cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant and softened. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the paprika, chipotles and flour and cook for about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and stock and raise heat up to medium-high. Bring the sauce to a quick boil. Once it bubbles, drop heat back to a rolling simmer sauce to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes.
Drain your pasta and return it to the pot it was cooked in.
Add cheese to the milk sauce and stir to melt, a minute or so. Stir in chorizo and tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to combine.
Transfer the pasta to a large serving platter, garnish with the toasted breadcrumbs and cilantro and serve.
Notes
Tips and tricks
You’re more than welcome to use store-bought shredded cheese but for the creamiest, silkiest sauce, shred the cheese from a block. The anti-caking agents on pre-shredded cheese help its shelf life but prevent it from melting as nicely.
Remember to reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the rest. If your cheese sauce is too thick, you can use the starchy water to help loosen it up and make it extra silky.
Want to make baked mac and cheese instead? After the pasta is tossed with the sauce, transfer it all to a greased baking dish, sprinkle extra shredded cheese and the bread crumbs on top, and bake at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
VariationsPersonally, I think this chorizo macaroni and cheese is rich, smoky, and cheesy perfection. However, the recipe can be slightly customized with these variation ideas:
Not a fan of chorizo? Swap it for andouille sausage, hot Italian sausage, or even crispy bacon.
Gluten-free mac and cheese - Make this with your favorite short-cut gluten-free pasta, bread crumbs, and flour.