Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Green Chile Mac and Cheese
Green Chile Mac and Cheese brings together elbow macaroni, milk, and monterey jack cheese. The thickening step has its own little bit of preparation. The quick notes will help you get the small jobs lined up before you start.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 9 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Preparation & total time
- Quick dinners · Prep: 16–30 minutes · Total: 30 minutes or less
- Budget (estimated)
- Low cost
- Dietary characteristics
- Vegetarian
- Dish type
- Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Mix the thickener as directed
The thickening step has its own little bit of preparation. Follow the mixing step before adding it, then use the consistency check in the method as you finish.
2. Give the simmer its place
Keep the simmering stage in the sequence when planning the meal. Follow the heat and texture checks in that step rather than rushing straight to the finish.
3. Keep the first boil and the next step together
Read what happens once the mixture comes to a boil. Have the next ingredient or heat adjustment ready, and continue with the sequence the recipe gives.
Get to know the ingredients
Elbow macaroni
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the macaroni.
Milk
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Whisk the milk into the cooked butter and flour mixture.
Monterey Jack cheese
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the green chile cheese sauce.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 6 steps completeMake room for Green Chile Mac and Cheese
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Keep the last little job in mind
The recipe finishes with this step: Serve hot. Set out what you need for that finish before the cooking gets busy.
A little more help as you go
Have the whisking step ready
Set out the ingredients for the whisking step together. Follow that part of the preparation before moving to the next cooking or mixing stage.
A few questions you might have
What should I get ready before starting?
Set out the pot. Read the first preparation step before you get going: Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the macaroni.
Which little step is worth remembering?
The thickening step has its own little bit of preparation. Follow the mixing step before adding it, then use the consistency check in the method as you finish.
What check should I look for as it cooks?
Keep this part of the method in view: Begin stirring in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, one handful at a time, until fully melted into the sauce.
Is there another preparation step to plan for?
Set out the ingredients for the whisking step together. Follow that part of the preparation before moving to the next cooking or mixing stage.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: Budget Bytes. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
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