When it comes to comfort food, mac and cheese is king. This easy dish can be made with all sorts of variations, but this recipe for fiesta mac and cheese is a sure winner. With spicy sausage, black beans, and corn mixed in with creamy macaroni and cheese, it’s sure to please everyone at your next potluck or party! Best of all, it only takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
Everything is better when it’s a fiesta, and that includes mac and cheese! This recipe adds a Latin twist to the classic comfort food, with diced tomatoes, jalapenos, and chili powder. It’sIt’s easy to make and sure to be a hit with your family or guests. So get ready for some severe Mexican flavor!
What Is Mac And Cheese Fiesta?
Fiesta Mac And Cheese are made from macaroni and cheese with added ingredients like diced tomatoes, jalapenos, chili powder, and black beans. It’sIt’s a quick and easy meal that can be served for dinner or a party dish.
There is no one origin of Fiesta Mac And Cheese, as it is a dish that different cooks have created with their variations. However, the dish was likely first made in Mexico or Latin America, given the use of Latin flavors in the recipe.
Mac and cheese fiesta can be a fantastic twist on the original dish, and it’s a recipe that is sure to impress.
Serving
Many different sides go great with Fiesta Mac And Cheese. Some options include:
- A simple salad of greens and tomatoes
- Pico de gallo or another type of salsa
- Refried beans
- Guacamole
- Chorizo or other types of sausage
These sides would all pair well with the Mexican flavors in the mac and cheese fiesta dish. To complete the meal, you could also serve some bread, like tortillas or rolls.
This recipe serves 4 people.
Time
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Bake Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni,
- 4 tablespoons butter,
- 4 tablespoons flour,
- 2 cups milk,
- 1 teaspoon salt,
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper,
- 1 (10 ounces) can diced tomatoes, undrained,
- 1/2 cup jalapeno peppers, diced,
- 1 tablespoon chili powder,
- 1 (15 ounces) can of black beans, drained and rinsed,
- 1 cup frozen corn,
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese,
- 2 cups mozzarella.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni according to directions for al dente on the package.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook, constantly stirring, for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk milk into the white sauce until smooth. Add salt and pepper. Stir in undrained tomatoes., jalapeno peppers, chili powder, and black beans to the white sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
- While the fiesta macaroni is cooking, you can mix up your fiesta cheese so that it will be ready when needed!
- For example, in a large pot over medium heat, add 4 tablespoons of cheese, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese + 1 cup mozzarella cheese together with fiesta mac and cheese, and mix fiesta mac and fiesta cheeses.
- Drain fiesta macaroni, add to the fiesta cheese sauce mixture and stir until fiesta mac and fiesta cheese are mixed.
- Pour fiesta mac and fiesta cheese mixture into a prepared baking dish, sprinkle the top of fiesta mac with 1 tablespoon of cheese, bake for 30 minutes or until the top is browned.
- Let fiesta mac stand for 10 minutes to cool before serving.
Note: For healthier fiesta mac, try substituting whole milk for the 2% milk in Fiesta Mac And Cheese and adding a few tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese to the fiesta sauce mixture. Or leave out the cream in the white sauce entirely for a lighter version.
Nutritional Information
Mac and cheese fiesta is a fiesta in itself, both in taste and nutrition! Each serving of this dish has only about 300 calories, which means it won’t add inches to your waistline. In addition, the fiesta macaroni and cheese contains about 10 percent of your daily fiber needs per serving, plus 7 grams of protein per serving. It also has over 15% of the RDA for iron! Since it’s such a delicious meal to eat any time during the day, fiesta mac and cheese may be a good choice when you want something fast but healthy too.
Frequnetly Asked Questions
Can fiesta mac and fiesta cheese be made without fiesta sauce?
No, fiestas mac and fiesta cheese use fiesta sauce as a base for the dish, so it would not taste right if you didn’t use fiestas sauce. You could try experimenting with different types of sauces, though, such as alfredo or pesto.
What meals go well with fiesta mac and fiesta cheese?
As mentioned above, you can pair many sides with this dish. Some examples include pico de gallo salsa, red beans, guacamole, and chorizo, or other types of sausage.
Can fiesta mac and fiesta cheese be made ahead of time?
Yes, fiesta mac and fiesta cheese can be made ahead of time. It may even taste better if it is made a day or two in advance. Simply follow the recipe as written, but don’t bake the fiesta mac and fiesta cheese for the last 30 minutes. Instead, cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it. Then, remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Can fiesta mac and fiesta cheese be frozen?
Yes, Fiesta Mac And Cheese can be frozen. However, it is not recommended because it may become watery when reheated. If you choose to freeze fiesta mac and fiesta cheese, follow the recipe as written but don’t bake the fiesta mac and fiesta cheese for the last 30 minutes. Instead, cover the dish with aluminum foil and freeze. When ready to eat, remove from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Final Words
This Fiesta Mac And Cheese is an excellent option for those looking to enjoy their favorite mac and cheese dish without guilt. It contains fewer calories, less fat, and more carbs than traditional recipes, so you can feel good about indulging in this delicious meal with your family! The nutritional information will help make healthier decisions each time you prepare this yummy dinner. Get cooking today by following our step-by-step instructions. You’reYou’re just moments away from enjoying one of America’sAmerica’s favorite comfort foods.
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