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Chorizo Mac and Cheese

November 22, 2016 By Patricia 28 Comments

Do you serve mac and cheese as a Thanksgiving side dish? I never have, but that may change! Chorizo Mac and Cheese is a creamy, slightly spicy side that adds great interest to any meal, and it’s perfect for the Thanksgiving dinner table, too.

Chorizo Mac and Cheese includes some great add-ins to make this classic dish extra special!

I was asked by AARP to try one of its versions of an upgraded mac and cheese recipe. When I saw the options, I could not refuse! Their choices included a lobster version made with mascarpone and Brie (that’s next on my list to try), a butternut squash version with sharp cheddar and Parmesan, and the one I tried, Chorizo Mac and Cheese.

The only detour I took from the AARP version was to use regular cheddar cheese instead of smoky cheddar cheese. What a fun and flavorful dish this turned out to be. The chorizo brings amazing flavor, and the tortilla chip crumbs sprinkled over the top add the perfect amount of crunch that goes well with the creaminess of the dish.

I used Mexican chorizo (fresh, uncooked pork sausage), but you could also use Spanish-style chorizo (dried and cooked), diced small.

You'll want to dig right in to a dish as delicious as Chorizo Mac and Cheese!

I know a lot of people serve mac and cheese as a side dish at Thanksgiving. Pasta is always included at my family’s Thanksgiving dinners, but that’s just an Italian thing, I think! Pasta is included with pretty much any celebration meal.

I could make a meal of the stuffing and sides every year. And of course, dessert! In fact, I’d love to start a new tradition and begin Thanksgiving dinner with dessert. Why not! Everyone needs his or her own tradition, right?

Spicy, creamy and comforting, you'll love Chorizo Mac and Cheese!

Speaking of dessert, this Thanksgiving, try my Skillet Apple Pie with Salted Caramel Whipped Topping. It makes a pretty presentation and it’s so easy to make. The whipped topping is homemade with Greek yogurt, so feel free to indulge in another slice!

As AARP mentioned to me, restaurants are serving upgraded mac and cheese dishes, and sometimes charging big bucks for them. Why not give Chorizo Mac and Cheese a try at home? With just a few add-ins or a different type of cheese, your dish will be restaurant-worthy without the high prices or reservations.

Serve Chorizo Mac and Cheese as a side or as a main dish -- you'll love the fab flavors!Do you serve mac and cheese at Thanksgiving? Whether or not you do, I hope you’ll give Chorizo Mac and Cheese a try, either for the holiday, or one night during the week.

If you’d like to try another of my pasta recipes, check these out:
Pasta with Asparagus and Pancetta
Pasta with Rapini and Crispy Chickpeas
Pasta with Kale and Creamy Butternut Squash Sauce

Chorizo Mac and Cheese is just the right amount of zesty to add a nice touch to a classic!

Serves 4

Chorizo Mac and Cheese

You'll love this upgrade on plain mac and cheese. Perfect for a Thanksgiving side, or as a main dish during the week!

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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces corkscrew pasta
  • 12 ounces chorizo (I used fresh, Mexican-style chorizo)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup tortilla chips, crushed

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. As the pasta is cooking add the chorizo to a skillet and cook until browned. Transfer to a dish and set aside.
  4. Add the butter to a large clean skillet over medium heat. When melted, add the flour and whisk, cooking for about a minute.
  5. Add the paprika and milk to the mixture and whisk to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and thick. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and combined.
  6. Add the pasta, chorizo, and red pepper to the cheese mixture. Toss to combine.
  7. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the tortilla chips and bake for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly.
  8. Remove and serve warm.
7.8.1.2
101
https://www.azgrabaplate.com/chorizo-mac-cheese/

Nutrition

Calories: 1084 cal
Carbohydrates: 57 g
Fat: 71 g
Sodium: 1741 g
Cholesterol: 189 g
Protein: 54 g
Fiber: 2 g

Filed Under: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Tagged With: chorizo, mac and cheese, Side dish, Thanksgiving recipes

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Comments

  1. Clarissa says

    November 22, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    This sounds SO SO good! I love chorizo anything and who doesn't love mac and cheese?! -Clarissa @ The View From Here
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 24, 2016 at 3:41 am

      Thanks, Clarissa! I love this dish!
      Reply
  2. Samantha @ Momma Wants Java says

    November 22, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    OMG! I love chorizo and I love mac & cheese, but it never occurred to me to put the two together! This is genius! I can't wait to make it! Thank you!!!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 24, 2016 at 3:41 am

      Thanks, Samantha! Hope you try it soon! Enjoy!
      Reply
  3. Mary Barham says

    November 22, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    Oh my goodness...... I LOVE mac and cheese first of all... but this!!! I am going to make this for sure!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      Thanks, Mary! I hope you can give it a try, and enjoy it!
      Reply
  4. Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says

    November 22, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    This looks like a dish that my entire family would eat. I especially love the tortilla chips you used for extra crunch and texture. This looks great.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks, Kimberly! I loved the crunchy chips, too!
      Reply
  5. Leah says

    November 23, 2016 at 2:41 am

    Um, this looks amazing! I love the idea of spicy mac and cheese! Why have I never thought of this before!? Can't wait to try it out!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks, Leah! I know -- neither had I! Good stuff!
      Reply
  6. Anvita says

    November 23, 2016 at 3:12 am

    This looks gorgeous. Not a fan of Mac-cheese but I wouldn't mind trying this one.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks, Anvita!
      Reply
  7. Michelle says

    November 23, 2016 at 3:24 am

    We've never had mac and cheese on our Thanksgiving menu but I will definitely try this! It sounds delicious!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      We never have either, but we do have pasta! Hope you try it!
      Reply
  8. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says

    November 23, 2016 at 3:41 am

    This is something my husband would love! The flavors sound fantastic Patricia!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      Thanks so much, Cynthia! It's a fun & flavorful version!
      Reply
  9. Jessica Sheppard says

    November 23, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Chorizo mac and cheese?! Yes, please! This recipe looks delish, just in time for the holidays. Excited to try it! Yummy!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! Hope you try it and enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!
      Reply
  10. Michelle Ferrand says

    November 23, 2016 at 5:49 am

    I love chorizo! I've never put it with mac and cheese, this sounds so good!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks, Michelle! Hope you give it a try!
      Reply
  11. Tahnee | www.sincerelyrosedesigns.com says

    November 23, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    this looks fabulous! I just made mac and cheese and I wish i made this instead! Great photos!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks so much, Tahnee!
      Reply
  12. ruthie says

    November 23, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    What a fun idea for mac and cheese! love it!!!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thank you, Ruthie!
      Reply
  13. Maggie Unzueta says

    November 24, 2016 at 12:40 am

    This is SO right up my alley. Printing this recipe. :)
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 24, 2016 at 3:40 am

      Great to hear! Hope you like it, Maggie!
      Reply
  14. Kortney says

    November 28, 2016 at 10:00 am

    This is a fantastic sounding combo! We made chorizo and gnocchi over the weekend and that was super, I'm learning how much can go with chorizo!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 29, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      Oh, that sounds great, Kortney! And I love chorizo in pretty much anything!
      Reply

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I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

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