Green-Chile Macaroni and Cheese

Submitted by zeldaz51

"If you think the heat might be too bold, opt for a milder chile rather than reducing the quantity. A cup of corn kernels is a good addition, mixed into the cheese sauce just before it comes off the heat. A Cheryl AltersJamison recipe from New Mexico Magazine, 2/2012."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• Bread Crumbs

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed fresh breadcrumbs or 3/4 cup dried panko breadcrumbs

• Cheese Sauce

• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 -2 tablespoon onion, minced
• 1 cup roasted green chili pepper, chopped
• 1 cup whole milk or 1 cup goat's milk
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk or 1/2 cup additional goat's milk
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 6 ounces creamy fresh goat cheese, garlic-flavored if you wish
• 4 ounces havarti-style goat meat or 4 ounces cow's milk cheese, grated
• 6 ounces aged cheddar cheese, grated

• Also

• 12 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter shallow, medium-to-large baking dish.
2. Prepare breadcrumbs, first melting butter in small skillet over medium heat. Stir in bread crumbs and toast until golden, stirring occasionally. Scrape bread crumbs out of skillet and reserve.
3. Prepare cheese sauce, first melting butter in large, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir flour into butter gradually (so it doesn’t develop lumps).When flour is incorporated, mix in onion and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add green chile and any juice; cook until heated through. Raise heat to medium-high and gradually whisk in milk, buttermilk, and salt. Bring mixture to a boil and continue to cook until lightly thickened, stirring occasionally (about 5 minutes). Stir in creamy fresh goat cheese until melted into sauce.
4. Remove sauce from heat and immediately mix in remaining cheeses, stirring until melted. Toss macaroni with cheese sauce and spoon into prepared baking dish.
5. Scatter bread crumbs over macaroni and cheese sauce. Bake about 30 minutes, until heated through and golden-brown and crunchy on top.