Happy National Pasta Day! Today I’m celebrating with this ridiculously delicious Lightened Up Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese because Mexican food + creamy pasta = my dreams come true. And hopefully yours too! I loooooove Macaroni and Cheese from my Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese to Beefy Buffalo Mac and Cheese to my Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese and I loooove salsa verde from my Homemade Salsa Verde to my Salsa Verde Chicken to my Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas. So why not combine my two loves and make Salsa Verde Macaroni and Cheese?! I chose to make this Mac and Cheese a meal in one with the addition of chicken, zucchini and corn that sauté for a couple minutes with some salt and pepper. You can certainly leave the chicken and veggies out or swap out the veggies for whatever you have on hand. Ground beef would also be divine instead of chicken in this Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese. The lightened up Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Sauce – that tastes anything but light – has only 2 tablespoons of butter and no heavy cream so you can feel a little less guilty about eating half the pan. And I ate almost half the pan. The sauce has a nice kick thanks to the salsa verde and the pepper jack cheese, but shouldn’t be overly spicy for your kiddos. I add ancho chili pepper for even more of a kick and my husband loaded it with hot sauce but I recommend tasting the sauce before adding and heat because even without extra heat its packed with fiestalicious flavor! To make the quick homemade cheese sauce, simply melt your butter in some olive oil and whisk in some flour, cook for 2 minutes then stir in your salsa verde, milk and evaporated milk. The evaporated milk helps create an incredibly silky sauce that’s not only lighter but doesn’t separate or curdle. Next, stir in your Cheeses and your optional chicken and veggies and silkilicoius Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese is served!
Want to try this Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese?
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LOOKING FOR MORE RECIPES WITH SALSA VERDE?
Salsa Verde Honey Lime ChickenCreamy Green Chile Chicken EnchiladasSalsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas (READERS FAV!)Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken and Rice BakeSalas Verde Chicken Tortilla SoupQueso Verde Corn DipChicken in Coconut Mango Verde Sauce (READERS FAV!)
Looking for more Mexican recipes?
(Lighter) Cheesy Taco PastaOne Skillet Mexican Chicken and Rice (with Jalapeno Ranch)Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos(Skinny) Sante Fe BBQ Ranch Chicken PastaRestaurant Style Mexican Rice
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