Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 chipotle chiles in adobo, finely minced; 4.92 ml adobo sauce (set aside); 14.79 ml butter; 118.29 ml onion, finely chopped; 118.29 ml green bell pepper, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 29.58 ml all-purpose flour; 411.06 g can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained or 411.06 g can diced tomatoes with jalapenos; 473.18 ml macaroni, cooked al dente (will yield 4 cups cooked); 473.18 ml reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 236.59 ml low fat cottage cheese; 236.59 ml 2% low-fat milk; 59.14 ml grated parmesan cheese; 1 egg, lightly beaten; cooking spray; 44.37 ml dry breadcrumbs; 14.79 ml butter, melted; 29.57 ml reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, lightly sprinkle on top (optional)

Submitted by J e l i s a

"I think I'm really beginning to acquire the taste for chipotles, this is only the second time I've made anything with these smokey peppers. I found this recipe in a recent issue of Cooking Light. It only uses 2 peppers so if you want to save the rest for future use, just lay on waxed paper and freeze, once frozen, wrap each pepper and store in freezer bag."

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photo by Linajjac

Ready In:: 1hr
Ingredients:: 18
Serves:: 6

ingredients

2 chipotle chiles in adobo, finely minced
4.92 ml adobo sauce (set aside)
14.79 ml butter
118.29 ml onion, finely chopped
118.29 ml green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
29.58 ml all-purpose flour
411.06 g can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained or 411.06 g can diced tomatoes with jalapenos
473.18 ml macaroni, cooked al dente (will yield 4 cups cooked)
473.18 ml reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
236.59 ml low fat cottage cheese
236.59 ml 2% low-fat milk
59.14 ml grated parmesan cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
cooking spray
44.37 ml dry breadcrumbs
14.79 ml butter, melted
29.57 ml reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, lightly sprinkle on top (optional)

directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil 2 cups macaroni according to package (do not overcook), drain.
Reserve 1 adobo sauce and set aside.
Finely chop 2 chipotle peppers, onions and green peppers.
Melt butter in heavy pot over med-high heat, toss chopped ingredients and stir.
Cook until onion is tender, then sprinkle with 2 T of flour.
Allow to cook for about 30 SECONDS then reduce to medium.
Stir in the can of diced tomatoes w/chilies-- aka Rotel (I used tomatoes with jalapenos instead).
Simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens.
Now add the reserved adobo, cottage cheese, milk, cheddar, parmesan, macaroni and egg, stir well and pour mixture into casserole dish.
Melt tablespoon of butter and add breadcrumbs, stir until breadcrumbs are moist, sprinkle mixture over pasta.
You can also lightly sprinkle some more shredded cheddar over it before baking for 30 minutes until browned.

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Reviews

Thought this was a nice recipe. As others have said, I think bacon could be a nice addition, but wasn't really necessary. If you don't like spicy, you could easily cut down on the chipotle and it would still be very good. Thanks!

RecipeJunkie
Really good! I agree with the other reviewers...bacon would be awesome. Unfortunately, I didn't have any "real" bacon, so I added some bacon bits and diced ham, which worked fine (but not as good as the real deal, of course). I also decided to seed one of the chipotles and I'm SOOOO glad I did! It was still very spicy. Don't get me wrong...this girl can handle some spice (AZ native)...but I think this particular dish would be better with less of it. Next time, I'll seed both chipotles, so I still get the nice smokey flavor. I like that this is creamy comfort food, incorporates ingredients I always keep on hand, and includes some veggies. I'll definitely make this again.

Robyns Cookin
This mac and cheese recipe was really nice. I made it last night for dinner for DH, my aunt, and myself. My aunt loved it, DH and I liked it. It was easy to prepare and had a nice spicy flavor. Like Linaj, I might add a little extra adobo sauce next time. I also agree that stirring in some bacon might give it the little extra bit of flavor that it needed. This was a good recipe for a chilly night. Thanks, Jelisa!

Dr. Jenny
WOW! We really enjoyed this recipe! I will say, it's the best mac & cheese I've ever made. I did add little extra adobo. Perfect for us. Next time, I think I might stir in bacon. Diced ham would be a good mixed in also. This is a keeper for sure. Thanks! :)

Linajjac
I have the original CL recipe, and I made this the other night. To Sackville Girl and Jelisa, in step 7, you are supposed to cook the onion and flour for 30 SECONDS, not minutes. I seeded the chipotle, so it was not too spicy. Oh, by the way, I forgot to add the egg and it turned out fine. My husband and company said it was a keeper.

KelBel