Chipotle Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

How to make it

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• Check your oven rack and make sure it is in the middle of the oven
• Chop the onion into quarters and put it, the clove of garlic, the parsley and/or cilantro (about 10 sprigs is good) into the processor and pulse a few times until the onion is pretty finely chopped.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
• Fill a large (6qt) heavy pot with water, add about 1 Tablespoon of salt
• Bring the water to a boil over high heat
• Add the pasta, stir to avoid sticking
• Cook the pasta for 4 to 5 minutes -- you don't want it to cook through
• Drain the pasta into the colander, add a pat of butter to the pasta and mix it around -- that way the pasta won't stick to itself
• No need to wash the pot
• Add 4 Tablespoons butter to the pot over medium heat
• When the butter melts, whisk in 3 Tablespoons of flour and continue to whisk while the flour bubbles and cooks for another minute or so. If you don't cook the flour, it will cause lumps in your sauce
• Removing the pan from the heat, start whisking in the milk cup by cup
• Put the pot back over the heat and continue to whisk until smooth
• Add salt to taste, the Sazon Packet, a spoonful of chopped chipotle, the cheese and the onion/garlic/parsley/cilantro mixture
• Stir to mix and melt the cheese
• Turn the heat to low, cover and let simmer, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes
• After 10 minutes, take a spoon and taste the sauce. Make adjustments at this point -- more chipotle, another packet of Goya Sazon, or a bit more cheese?
• When you are pleased with your sauce, turn off the heat, add the pasta to the pot, along with any veggies you are going to use, and stir to combine thoroughly
• Grease a 2 quart casserole with butter
• Spoon or pour the pasta and sauce mixture into the casserole
• Cover the top with the breadcrumbs and dot with yet more butter
• Put the casserole in the oven, UNCOVERED, and bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the crumbs are golden brown
• Remove the casserole from the oven and let sit for about 5 minutes before serving