Ingredients
– 8 ounces macaroni pasta
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ¼ medium white onion
– 1 large garlic clove
– 1 bay leaf
– 8 cups water
– 1 roasted red bell pepper (canned or jarred)
– 8 ounces shredded or cubed cheddar cheese or American cheese
– 1 cup Mexican crema (or substitute with regular milk or half-and-half)
– 2 tablespoons butter
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: crushed red pepper
Instructions
1-In a saucepan, bring 8 cups of water, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ medium white onion, 1 large garlic clove, and 1 bay leaf to a boil over medium-high heat.
2-Add 8 ounces of macaroni pasta and cook for 10 minutes until tender. Drain the pasta, but save the onion and garlic for later use.
3-In a blender, combine 8 ounces shredded or cubed cheese, 1 roasted red bell pepper, 1 cup Mexican crema, and the reserved onion and garlic; blend until you get a smooth sauce.
4-Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the blended cheese and pepper sauce and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring now and then.
5-Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, then mix in the drained pasta and cook for an additional 2 minutes to blend everything well.
6-Serve right away, and if you like extra heat, garnish with crushed red pepper. For best results, add a few tablespoons of milk when reheating to keep it from drying out.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🥛 Mexican crema can be replaced with regular milk or half-and-half.
🌶️ For a smoky flavor, add one chipotle pepper.
🧀 Use non-pre-shredded cheese for better melting quality.
❄️ Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
🔥 Reheat on the stove with milk or broth, not in the microwave for best texture.
🌾 For gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Boiling, blending, sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American fusion
- Diet: Gluten-containing (gluten-free option available)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg