Cranberry Chorizo Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy, dreamy cheesy pasta with a little sweet and a little spice. Try this Cranberry Chorizo Macaroni and Cheese for a totally new spin on macaroni and cheese.
Ingredients
- ½ Tbs extra virgin olive oil plus an additional 2 teaspoons, divided
- 8 oz Spanish chorizo sausage small dice
- 1 small yellow onion small dice
- 2 Tbs pickled jalapeno diced
- 1 cup frozen or fresh cranberries halved
- 8 oz bowties pasta or pasta of choice
- 2 Tbs unsalted butter
- 2 Tbs all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheese see Notes
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp fresh cracked pepper
- ½ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Heat 1/2 Tbs olive oil in a large nonstick skillet on med-high heat. Add chorizo, onion, jalapeno, and cranberries. Cook, tossing often, until chorizo is lightly browned and cranberries and onion are softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Put the pasta to cook al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Heat the butter and flour in a medium saucepan, whisking until smooth. Let bubble a minute to cook the flour, then whisk in the milk and Dijon. Heat, stirring constantly, until warm and remove from heat. Add the salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil.
- Add the cheeses and pasta to the sauce at the same time, as well as the cranberry-chorizo mixture. Stir until well combined. Note that the cheese doesn't have to be completely melted. Transfer to a 13x9 bake dish. Top with the panko crumbs.
- Bake at 350F for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Yields 6 servings.
Notes
Don't you love recipes that tell you to use what you have on hand? I used 1 cup sharp white cheddar, 1 cup colby/jack, and 1/2 cup parmesan. Just stick with light/white cheeses and you'll be fine. Same goes for the pasta, just use what'cha got in the cupboard.
Calorie count is purely an estimate calculated using an online application to serve as a guide and not to be taken as accurate nutritional information. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and let me know!