Best 6 South Of The Border Mac Cheese Recipes

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Craving a dish that perfectly blends the classic comfort of mac and cheese with the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine? Look no further than the tantalizing South-of-the-Border Mac and Cheese. This unique twist on the traditional recipe combines the creamy richness of macaroni and cheese with a zesty blend of Mexican spices and fresh ingredients. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. In this article, we present three variations of this delectable dish: the classic South-of-the-Border Mac and Cheese, a vegetarian version, and a spicy rendition guaranteed to set your taste buds ablaze. Each recipe offers its own distinct flavor profile, ensuring that there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's dive into the world of cheesy, flavorful goodness!

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWEST MAC & CHEESE WITH OPTIONAL CHICKEN



Southwest Mac & Cheese with Optional Chicken image

A south-of-the-border twist on classic mac and cheese. Black beans, corn, mild green chilies (or hot, depending on your preference), chili powder, and optional chunks of chicken for the meat-eaters join up with an uber-creamy, cheesy pasta topped with a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips. And then baked to perfection.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 18

8 oz. 1/2 pound or about 1 3/4 cups macaroni or other medium tubular pasta (like pennette or penne)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika (plus more for sprinkling on top)
2 1/2 cups milk (I like 2% milk best, but whole works too)
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 4- ounce can mild green chilies
1 15- ounce can black beans (drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked black beans))
1/3 cup crushed tortilla chips (about 3/4 cup whole)
1/2 pound boneless (skinless chicken breast, cooked and diced*)
1 pound boneless (skinless chicken breast, cooked and diced*)

Steps:

  • Boil the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking, and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Set out six individual, oven-safe ramekins or gratin dishes for individual servings, two 5"x8" baking dishes if you're cooking up one dish with meat and one without, or an 8"x8"/two-quart baking dish if cooking it all in one big batch.
  • In a medium bowl, toss together the cheddar, monterey jack, and Parmesan cheeses. Set aside.
  • Over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour, salt, dry mustard, chili powder, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. Stir constantly over medium heat for about three minutes.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk. Continuing over medium heat, whisk frequently for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens (as the sauce gets thicker, I recommend going from frequent stirs to constant stirs to help avoid burning).
  • Remove from heat, and stir in 2 cups of the cheese. Continue stirring until cheese is melted, then add the green chilies and corn. Stir until combined. Select your version from the options below to continue.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER MAC AND CHEESE



South of the Border Mac and Cheese image

We just love it when there are multiple kinds of cheese in mac & cheese. The addition of some heat really stepped this up several notches. But, don't worry - it's not too hot!

Provided by Debbie Reid

Categories     Pasta Sides

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 oz corkscrew pasta
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 c finely chopped onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and veins removed, finely chopped
3 Tbsp butter
2 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 c milk
12 oz bottle of Mexican beer
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 c shredded chipotle gouda cheese
2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 c shredded queso quesadilla cheese
3/4 c finely crushed tortilla chips

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9" x 9" x 2" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
  • 2. In a large pot, bring 3 - 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and salt to taste and cook according to package directions to al dente. Drain; set aside.
  • 3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeno pepper; cook until softened, approximately 3 - 4 minutes, drain; set aside.
  • 4. In a large dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, beer, salt, pepper and nutmeg and cook until mixture begins to boil and thicken, approximately 5 - 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Add in the chipotle gouda cheese, cheddar cheese and queso quesadilla cheese and stir until cheeses have fully melted and sauce is smooth; remove from heat. Add in the reserved pasta and mix to combine. Add in the reserved onion/pepper mixture and mix to combine.
  • 5. Place macaroni and cheese in prepared baking dish and top evenly with the tortilla chips. Place in preheated oven and cook for 25 - 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER MAC AND CHEESE



South-of-the-Border Mac and Cheese image

Spice up your macaroni dinner with this special recipe. Our South-of-the-Border Mac and Cheese includes spicy Mexican chorizo, green chiles and more.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Pork

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/2 lb. Mexican chorizo
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1-1/4 cups water
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Colby & Monterey Jack Cheeses

Steps:

  • Crumble chorizo into large nonstick skillet; cook on medium heat until done, stirring frequently. Drain chorizo; return to skillet.
  • Add Macaroni, tomatoes and water; stir. Bring to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 15 min. or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally
  • Add Cheese Sauce Mix; stir until blended. Top with shredded cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, TransFat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 1310 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 17 g

SOUTH OF THE BORDER CASSEROLE



South of the Border Casserole image

An easy and family pleasing casserole that's on the table in less than 45 minutes. I serve this with a guacamole salad, or a green salad with slices of avocado.

Provided by PanNan

Categories     Cheese

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 jalapeno, minced (optional or more to taste)
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 corn tortillas, cut in half
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (8 oz)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 and grease 1 1/2 qrt casserole dish.
  • Brown meat and drain.
  • Add onion and jalapeno (if using) and cook with meat until tender.
  • Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings.
  • Layer one-third of meat mixture, cheese and one half of tortillas in casserole dish; repeat layers, ending with cheese.
  • Bake at 325 for 20 minutes.
  • Note: Corn tortillas will soften and absorb the sauce.
  • These are recommended.
  • Flour tortillas will expand and the casserole will be too doughy-therefore flour tortillas are not recommended.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 601.9, Fat 37.4, SaturatedFat 18.8, Cholesterol 136.4, Sodium 1351, Carbohydrate 28.5, Fiber 5, Sugar 6.6, Protein 39.2

SOUTH OF THE BORDER MACARONI AND CHEESE



South of the Border Macaroni and Cheese image

Make a whole meal of your box of mac and cheese with the addition of ground beef. This recipe makes it a slightly picante meal, too, by the addition of a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes.

Provided by Lorraine of AZ

Categories     Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 (7 1/4 ounce) package macaroni & cheese dinner mix
1 lb ground sirloin beef
1 (10 ounce) can ro-tel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional) or cheese mexican cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • Make up the macaroni and cheese dinner as directed on the package.
  • Brown ground sirloin over medium-high heat, breaking up the beef. Drain fat and add the can of tomatoes with chiles. Mix well. Lower heat to low and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add one-half of the beef mixture to the prepared macaroni and cheese. Add the remaining beef to a 2-quart baking dish, spreading evenly. Gently spoon the macaroni mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle cheese over the top, if desired.
  • Bake, uncovered, until hot and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes.
  • Variation: Instead of layering part of the crumbled beef in the bottom of the baking dish, the entire amount may be added to the prepared macaroni and cheese. Stir to combine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 159.8, Fat 1.4, SaturatedFat 0.5, Cholesterol 2.9, Sodium 540.1, Carbohydrate 30.5, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 4, Protein 6.5

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER MAC & CHEESE



SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER MAC & CHEESE image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Cheese     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly

Yield 4 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

5 cups cooked rotini pasta
2 cups (8 ounces) cubed American cheese
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 can (8-12 ounces) Rotel
Green onions to taste

Steps:

  • 1. Combine all ingredients, except Rotel and green onion in slow cooker; mix well. Cover; cook on HIGH 2 hours, stirring twice. 2. Stir in rotel and green onions; continue cooking until hot.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. For a classic flavor, use a sharp cheddar. For something a little different, try a Mexican blend or a queso Oaxaca.
  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs will give your mac and cheese a more vibrant flavor. When possible, use organic ingredients.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold its shape well in the mac and cheese. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but err on the side of undercooking it slightly.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces. It will help to give your mac and cheese a smooth and creamy texture.
  • Add your favorite seasonings: Season your mac and cheese to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. You can also add other spices, such as cumin, chili powder, or paprika.
  • Top it off: Before serving, top your mac and cheese with a sprinkle of shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or crumbled bacon. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or guacamole.

Conclusion:

This South-of-the-Border Mac and Cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy, cheesy sauce and flavorful Mexican-inspired ingredients, this mac and cheese is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy mac and cheese, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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