Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with Adobo Meatballs

A smooth and surprising macaroni and cheese recipe with savory Mexican meatballs that will make you say 'Ole! Gimme more!'

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 589 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup cream
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons butter
• ¾ pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• salt and white pepper to taste
• 1 cup light sour cream
• ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
• 3 tablespoons adobo seasoning
• 2 teaspoons powdered jalapeno pepper
• 2 cups fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 cup canned diced green chiles

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Step 2

In a large bowl, mix ground beef with adobo seasoning and powdered jalapeno pepper. Roll into small, 1 inch meatballs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs, and cook until browned on all sides, then remove to drain on a paper towel-lined plate. The meatballs do not need to be thoroughly cooked at this point as they will finish cooking in the oven.

Step 3

While the meatballs are cooking, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Gently cook the butter until it begins to brown, and acquires a nutty fragrance, about 1 minute. Stir in the cream, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, cotija cheese, garlic powder, and cilantro. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the cheese has melted. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.

Step 4

Stir the cooked macaroni and diced chiles into the cheese sauce, and pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Slice the meatballs in half, and place onto the pasta cut-side down.

Step 5

Bake in preheated oven until the cheese sauce is bubbly, and the meatballs are no longer pink in the center, about 25 minutes.