How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Mexican mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating covered with aluminum foil in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until hot and bubbly. This recipe is utterly delicious and oh-so-simple. You don’t even have to make a cheese sauce or a roux, so it’s a total win-win. It comes out of the oven so creamy, cheesy, and delicious, you’ll be surprised you didn’t slave away in the kitchen all day!
Serving Suggestions
This Mexican mac and cheese is a meal all by itself, but I also like to serve it with a light salad for some extra nutrition. I recommend my avocado salad, 7 layer salad, or my mind blowing grilled corn salad!
How to Make Mexican Mac and Cheese Step by Step
Boil the Pasta: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line with foil and set aside. In a large pot of salted water, boil 1 pound (1 box) of rigatoni to al dente according to package instructions. Drain. Cook the Pork: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add 16 ounces of pork sausage and ½ of a diced onion, crumbling the sausage as it cooks. Season the Pork: When the sausage is almost cooked, add in 1 ounce (1 envelope) of taco seasoning and green 4.5 ounces (1 can) of chopped green chiles. chiles. Stir in the Salsa: Once the sausage is fully cooked, remove from the heat and stir in 16 ounces of salsa verde. Set aside. Add the Pasta: Add the cooked pasta, stir, and pour half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Layer the Casserole: Top the pasta with 8 ounces of shredded Mexican blend cheese. Cover with the remaining pasta/sausage mixture and then finally top with the second 8 ounces of cheese. No need to stir. Bake and Serve: Bake for 30-35 minutes or until fully melted and bubbly. Top with diced tomatoes and fresh cilantro, if desired.
