Name: Spicy Mac n Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 cup elbow pasta (I used wheat); 2 tbsp butter; 0.75 cup onion, chopped; 2 Jalapenos, chopped (do not de-seed); 2 cloves of garlic, grated; 0.5 cup carrot, diced and cooked a little; 0.5 cup zucchini, chopped; 0.75 cup cooked corn kernels; 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; 0.25 tsp cumin powder; a generous pinch of freshly grated nutmeg; 0.33333333333333 cup cream cheese; 2.5 cup milk; 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated; 1.5 cup cheese blend (Cheddar + Monterey Jack); Salt, to taste; 0.125 cup Garlic + Herb bread crumbs (optional); A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

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Spicy Mac n Cheese

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings: 4

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

2 cup elbow pasta (I used wheat)
2 tbsp butter
0.75 cup onion, chopped
2 Jalapenos, chopped (do not de-seed)
2 cloves of garlic, grated
0.5 cup carrot, diced and cooked a little
0.5 cup zucchini, chopped
0.75 cup cooked corn kernels
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
0.25 tsp cumin powder
a generous pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
0.33333333333333 cup cream cheese
2.5 cup milk
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1.5 cup cheese blend (Cheddar + Monterey Jack)
Salt, to taste
0.125 cup Garlic + Herb bread crumbs (optional)
A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

Method

Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water - If you are going to bake the pasta at the end, do not cook completely, remove and drain while it's still a little under done. Otherwise, follow packaging instruction to cook al-dente

Make the sauce

Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
Melt butter in a large pan. Sauté the chopped onions and garlic with a pinch of salt until it becomes soft. Then add the jalapenos and cook till soft.
Add the cooked carrots, zucchini, corn, flour and sauté for a minute. Season with cumin and nutmeg.
Add the cream cheese, milk, 1/4 c parmesan, 1 c grated cheese blend and stir well till the cheese melts and becomes a sauce.
Stir in the cooked pasta. You can garnish and serve right away for the creamiest version. Or you can take it one step further and bake!

Bake!

Transfer the pasta to an oven proof dish and top with remaining parmesan, cheese blend and finally with the breadcrumbs (if using).
Bake in the preheated oven at 450°F/180°C for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. If you did not use the breadcrumbs, place under a broiler for 2 minutes for the cheese to brown a bit.
Garnish with cilantro and serve hot!