Description
This Mexican Mac and Cheese recipe combines tender rigatoni pasta with a savory pork sausage and green chile sauce, layered with melted Mexican blend cheese and baked to bubbly perfection. Finished with fresh diced cherry tomatoes and cilantro, it offers a flavorful twist on classic comfort food that’s perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound dry rigatoni pasta (1 box)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat and Seasoning
- 16 ounces pork sausage (bulk or casings removed)
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 envelope)
- 4.5 ounces chopped green chiles (1 can, undrained)
Sauce and Cheese
- 16 ounces salsa verde
- 16 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese (2 bags)
Garnish
- Diced cherry tomatoes, for garnish
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line it with foil to ensure easy cleanup. Set the dish aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage and Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork sausage and chopped onion. Use a spatula to crumble the sausage as it cooks until the sausage is mostly cooked through and the onion is softened.
- Add Seasoning and Green Chiles: Stir in the taco seasoning and chopped green chiles along with their juices. Cook this mixture for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully.
- Incorporate the Salsa Verde: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the salsa verde until fully combined. This sauce will add a vibrant, tangy flavor to the dish.
- Assemble Layers: Combine the cooked rigatoni pasta with the sausage and salsa mixture. In the prepared baking dish, evenly spread half of this mixture. Sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded Mexican blend cheese on top. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then finish with the remaining 8 ounces of cheese layered on top.
- Bake and Garnish: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden around the edges. Once out of the oven, garnish with diced cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro to add brightness and freshness before serving.
Notes
- For extra spice, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the sausage mixture.
- Use a good quality Mexican blend cheese for authentic flavor and optimal meltiness.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the pork sausage with plant-based sausage or sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta in step 2 since it will bake further in the oven.
