Esquites Mac And Cheese is inspired by Esquites, a popular snack in Mexico made with corn kernels cooked in butter and spices.
While it may not be a traditional Esquites, the flavor when mixed into pasta is unbelievably amazing.
If You Love Mac And Cheese And Mexican Street Corn, You Will Love This Recipe!
This recipe combines the flavors of Esquites with a rich cheese sauce and conchiglie macaroni. It’s easy to make and perfect for a cozy meal or a potluck. You can also add some bacon or chicken for extra protein.
I hope you enjoy this Esquites Mac And Cheese as much as I do! Now let’s get cooking! 🧀🌽😋
To Make This Creamy Esquites Mac And Cheese, You Will Need:
(Full measurements listed below)
Pasta: Nothing beats the big shells, so I used conchiglie. They do well in serving the purpose of truly filling with sauce, whether cheese or others.
Jalapeños: Select the amount of jalapeños that match your desired level of spiciness, whether mild or hot.
Corn: You can use canned corn but fresh corn will bring extra freshness.
Shredded cheese: You can use any cheese that can melt. For this recipe, I used a mix of Oaxaca and Mozzarella.
Chili: I used a combination of Ancho ground, chili powder, Tajin, smoked paprika, and dark and smoky chili flakes, but you can use any chili powder you like.
Other ingredients: garlic, red onion, heavy cream, butter, and oregano.
How To Make Esquites Mac And Cheese:
Step 1: Cook pasta according to instructions. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: In the same pot or separate skillet, heat up butter on medium to high heat. Sauté onion and jalapeño for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add minced garlic and oregano. Keep sautéing.
Step 3: Add in canned corn. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and chili flakes. Pour in heavy cream. Stir thoroughly.
Step 4: Once the heavy cream begins to simmer, shut off the heat.
Step 5: Add a little over half 2 1/2 cups of your shredded cheese. Mix in until the sauce becomes thick.
Step 6: Toss in your pasta and coat it evenly with the cheesy sauce. Then add the remaining shredded cheese. This will lead to LOTs of cheese pulls!
Step 7: Place into a bowl and serve your freshly made Esquites Mac And Cheese immediately. Optional is to garnish more chili powder and chili flakes. Enjoy!
Estimate Nutritional Information:
Serving: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
Calories: 510kcal | Total Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 590mg | Carbohydrates: 39g | Dietary Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3.6g | Protein: 24g | Vitamin D: 1.2mcg | Calcium: 541mg | Iron: 1.7mg | Potassium: 184.4 mg
Esquites Mac And Cheese Cooking Tips:
Choose conchiglie pasta or any pasta shape you prefer, but make sure to cook it al dente. This ensures the pasta holds its shape and texture in the creamy sauce.
If the heat is too hot, the cheese will separate from the heavy cream. You need to make sure the heat is completely off when you mix the cheese into the pot.
Adjust the spiciness to your liking by adding more or fewer jalapeños or choosing a milder or spicier chili powder. Taste as you go and find the perfect balance for your palate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FQAs):
1. What Is Esquites Mac And Cheese?
Esquites Mac And Cheese is a delicious fusion of classic macaroni and cheese with the flavors of Esquites, a Mexican street corn snack. It combines cheesy, creamy macaroni with savory, slightly spicy Mexican street corn elements.
2. Is Esquites Mac And Cheese A Traditional Mexican Dish?
No, Esquites Mac And Cheese is not a traditional Mexican dish. It’s inspired by the flavors of Esquites but presented in the form of a creamy macaroni and cheese recipe.
3. Can I Customize The Level Of Spiciness In This Dish?
Absolutely! You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapeños or choosing a milder or spicier chili powder and chili flakes, depending on your preference.
4. What Type Of Cheese Works Best For The Cheese Sauce?
You can use any cheese that melts well. In this recipe, a mix of Oaxaca and Mozzarella cheeses is used, but feel free to choose your favorite melting cheese.
5. Can I Add Protein Like Bacon Or Chicken To This Recipe?
Yes, you can enhance the dish by adding cooked bacon or chicken for extra protein and flavor.
6. How Long Does It Take To Make Esquites Mac And Cheese?
It typically takes about 30-40 minutes to make Esquites Mac And Cheese, making it a relatively quick and satisfying meal.
7. Is It Suitable For Vegetarians?
The basic recipe is suitable for vegetarians, but you can customize it according to your dietary preferences.
8. Can I Make It Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta to make this dish completely gluten-free.
9. What’s The Best Way To Reheat Leftovers?
To reheat leftovers, use a microwave or oven at a low temperature until the dish is warmed through. You may need to add a little extra cream to maintain the creamy texture.
Let’s Make Some Delicious Esquites Mac And Cheese!
And there you have it – this creamy, delicious Esquites Mac And Cheese are ready to take their place on your dinner table. If you decide to give it a shot, make sure to snap a photo and share it with us on Facebook and Pinterest.
Be sure to follow us for more yummy recipes in the future. Until next time, happy cooking! 🧀🌽😋
Creamy Homemade Esquites Mac And Cheese
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 cup conchiglie pasta
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 jalapeños, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp of each: salt and pepper
- pinches of chili powder and chili flakes of your choice
- 1 ½ to 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded cheese of your choice
Instructions
Notes
If the heat is too hot, the cheese will separate from the heavy cream. You need to make sure the heat is completely off when you mix the cheese into the pot.
