I think nothing can beat a homemade Macaroni cheese. We do not eat it that often, because Conor is not keen on cheesy dishes, a sprinkling of cheese on a lasagne he will cope with, while scraping the best bit off and leaving to one side, sacrilege.
Knowing he was out for the night and knowing Chris, Granny and I love it. I set about making one, but I also fancied a spicy macaroni cheese. Its a great store cupboard dish for using leftovers up.
Knowing he was out for the night and knowing Chris, Granny and I love it. I set about making one, but I also fancied a spicy macaroni cheese. Its a great store cupboard dish for using leftovers up.
I had some Mexicana cheese leftover in the fridge and I had already decided to add it, but I also always have cooking chorizo that needed eating.
I decided to experiment and I am so glad I did.
I made a basic roux sauce band then added the cheese and macaroni, I also used Red Leicester and decided near the end after tasting, to add a teaspoon of mustard. The chorizo gave a lovely deep orange to the sauce. I nearly devoured a bowl before it hit the oven.
This spicy macaroni dish is heaven on a plate, spicy, gloriously cheesy and I share this dish, mainly so I remember to make it again and again.
This dish deserves a topping, next time I will be adding jalapenos, cheese and crushed tortilla chips to make real Mexican macaroni cheese!
This made a large portion for 4-6 and a small dish minus chorizo for my Granny!
This made a large portion for 4-6 and a small dish minus chorizo for my Granny!
Ingredients
For the Roux
75g flour
75g margarine
1 and 1/4 pints of milk.
For the dish.
100g Mexicana cheese
150g Red Leicester or any leftover cheese.
300g macaroni
1 teaspoon English mustard optional
Black pepper.
Grated cheese for the topping.
Method
Preheat oven to 160C Fan. Gas 4
Cut the chorizo in half to let the lovely oils release fry for a few minutes until golden, set aside.
Boil the macaroni in a medium saucepan according to the packets instructions.
Melt margarine in a large saucepan, add the flour and beat together well, cook on a low heat for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and very carefully add the milk, a tiny amount at a time, making a large paste at first and very gradually adding more milk until you have a thick batter, at this point you can add the milk in larger quantity.
Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring all the time.
Cook on low for about 10 minutes allowing the flour to cook through.
Season the sauce with black pepper, then add the cheese and mustard stirring all the while. I keep on the lowest heat at this point to melt the cheese.
Add in the macaroni and chorizo stir thoroughly.
At this point try to refrain from tucking in. It looks and smells great.
Add to a large ovenproof dish and add grated cheese.
I cooked for about 20 minutes, If you are really hungry and have assembled while still hot, you can grill the topping. I prefer the baked version though.
For the Roux
75g flour
75g margarine
1 and 1/4 pints of milk.
For the dish.
100g Mexicana cheese
150g Red Leicester or any leftover cheese.
300g macaroni
1 teaspoon English mustard optional
Black pepper.
Grated cheese for the topping.
Method
Preheat oven to 160C Fan. Gas 4
Cut the chorizo in half to let the lovely oils release fry for a few minutes until golden, set aside.
Boil the macaroni in a medium saucepan according to the packets instructions.
Melt margarine in a large saucepan, add the flour and beat together well, cook on a low heat for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and very carefully add the milk, a tiny amount at a time, making a large paste at first and very gradually adding more milk until you have a thick batter, at this point you can add the milk in larger quantity.
Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring all the time.
Cook on low for about 10 minutes allowing the flour to cook through.
Season the sauce with black pepper, then add the cheese and mustard stirring all the while. I keep on the lowest heat at this point to melt the cheese.
Add in the macaroni and chorizo stir thoroughly.
At this point try to refrain from tucking in. It looks and smells great.
Add to a large ovenproof dish and add grated cheese.
I cooked for about 20 minutes, If you are really hungry and have assembled while still hot, you can grill the topping. I prefer the baked version though.

Jo this looks fantastic!! I'm properly starving now :( x
ReplyDeleteThank you I am so glad I made a mammoth size, I am just about to tuck into a second nights portion.
DeleteOh wow this looks absolutely amazing - so tasty. I'm super hungry now :))
ReplyDeleteThanks Charly, it was good. Will definitely be making again.
DeleteOh my days - this sounds lush! Have just pinned it because I must make this! (when I'm not dieting -_-)
ReplyDeleteI recently posted 7 Tips For Throwing A Great BBQ
It is rather lush, I am so glad I am down to my target weight these meals were so missed. Hope you get there soon and can try!
DeleteI wish my boys would eat this, but both hate it. I adore Mexicana!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely annoying when one or more hate a dish you love. I would have this very regularly if we did not have an abnormal cheese hater in our midst!
DeleteMy husband loves macaroni cheese, never thought of adding chorizo! It sounds like it would be his perfect meal lol
ReplyDeleteMake it for him he will owe you big time!!
DeleteI love macaroni cheese and chorizo but never thought of putting it together! Thanks for the great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by.
DeleteNow this is right up my street. How yummy ! x
ReplyDeletethank you
DeleteMy gosh that looks so nice .x
ReplyDeleteYUM! definitely trying this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to add chorizo. We always add mushrooms to ours and they work well too.
ReplyDeleteI add ham and mushrooms to mine sometimes, another fave food are mushrooms.
DeleteYummy, so simple but tasty!!
ReplyDeleteHelen X
www.allthebeautifulthings.co.uk
Thanks Helen
DeleteThat sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious - I love cheese. Wish my kids weren't allergic, I would eat this regularly, or a variation thereof!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have cheese sauce dishes often either because Kaycee doesn't like them. I'll have to try this one night when they're away visiting family :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks really yummy. Great idea to spice it up as well.
ReplyDeleteOoooooh, yeah. This sounds delicious! Chorizo is a great way to add flavour. Do please link it up to #recipeoftheweek if you fancy it x
ReplyDeleteJo do you want to come live with me?!
ReplyDeletethis LOOKS gorgeous!! x
OMIGOSH, you have made a romantic meal especially for my husband and I (mac 7 cheese = my favourite & anything with chorizo = HIS favourite). Am SO making this! Thank you :D
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! My husband hates cheesy dishes too but I'm sure I could make it for me and my girls. Yum!
ReplyDeleteYes I am sure you can find him something boring!! ;)
DeleteYummy - Mac cheese is my kids favourite and I love sound of adding chorizo too. We usually add mushrooms, peas and sweetcorn
ReplyDeleteTry it its fab!
DeleteI love mac and cheese but I never get around to making it. I was flick in through a slow cooker recipe book a couple of weeks ago and it had a recipe for slow cooker mac and cheese, which I have resolved to test out soon. I love the idea of adding chorizo and a bit of spice.
ReplyDeletechorizo is good in everything... well except puddings!
ReplyDeleteHehe indeed, may not be so good with custard!!
DeleteLooks really tasty. You've made me properly hungry now.
ReplyDeleteooo I love Mexicana cheese too - and chorizo, a great twist on macaroni cheese!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious! x
ReplyDeleteI have never made macaroni cheese as one of my kids is not a cheese fan either, but it looks so good.
ReplyDeleteLooks tasty! I'm not a fan of margarine but I think I can replace it with some butter.
ReplyDeleteMac & cheese is always a good idea for me and my OH - quick, easy comfort food :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of macaroni cheese, but actually that looks delicious
ReplyDeleteOh thank you, that means a lot if you don't like it!
DeleteOh my word - YUM! I had a brill mac cheese and bacon in New York a few years back - I want this now!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to the states just for the mac and cheese.
DeleteThis looks delicious - I hate chorizo though, maybe I could substitue with bacon?
ReplyDeleteOh definitely with bacon, have made mine with bacon and ham in the past!
DeleteOoh I do like macaroni cheese, it was one of the food I craved when I was pregnant with F. x
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteWe love Mac and Cheese and always experiment with different variations - this looks fab x
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love adding ingredients to fave meals to get a new twist too.
DeleteThat sounds delicious! I love chorizo :)
ReplyDeletewow i love cheese and i love chorizo so i am book marking this! it looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you, hope you like it!
DeleteI followed you recipe and it was lovely thanks!
ReplyDeleteYum - this looks delicious and a great storecupboard recipe.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of adding chorizo, would never have thought of combining with macaroni cheese, but sounds like a natural pairing now you have posted on it!
ReplyDeletethis sounds a great variant on macaroni cheese. #RecipeoftheWeek
ReplyDeleteLooks yummy, and I love your addition of chorizo! #tastytuesdays
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to dive right in-we actually shot macaroni cheese a few weeks ago for next week's #tastytuesdays, such a moorish, filling feast! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
ReplyDeleteThat looks like absolute heaven! Macaroni cheese is one of my faves, but with chorizo too? Perfection!
ReplyDeletePopping over very late from #recipeoftheweek
My family would wolf this down!! Thanks for linking up with #recipeoftheweek :) I've pinned and tweeted this post and there's a fresh linky live now. Hope you join in x
ReplyDeleteThis is right up my street!
ReplyDeleteYum - very tasty!
ReplyDeleteAshleigh
Mmmm can't beat a good mac cheese. Yum Recipe of the Week
ReplyDeleteYummy twist, shame hubby doesn't like cheese!
ReplyDeleteFelicity kelly