If you asked me what my favourite comfort food is, I might struggle to find just one answer - but mac and cheese would be up there and this Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese would definitely be in the top 10! Imagine everything you love about mac and cheese, taken to the next level with the most incredible creamy, cheesy, smoky chorizo sauce - all topped off with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Yum! What’s more, it is so simple to put together and takes just 10 minutes hands-on time before letting the oven do the hard work. What’s not to love?
This easy Mac and Cheese (with the added bonus of smoky chorizo) is so creamy and delicious in its own right - then you pop it in the oven and the top gets golden and crispy… oh my goodness it’s so good! When you take this Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese hot from the oven, it’s all bubbling and gooey with the delicious smoky chorizo aroma filling the kitchen (I am getting hungry just thinking about it). This is one of those dishes that I am almost guaranteed to burn my mouth on because I am simply too impatient to wait before tucking in! Just like with my Spicy Sausage Pasta Bake, there is something about that crispy topping which is just too good to resist…
Why you will love this Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese recipe:
- It is the ultimate comfort food when you want something that will just nourish your soul.
- It is full of flavour and texture thanks to the smoky chorizo, creamy and cheesy cheese sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping.
- It is ready in 40 minutes making it the perfect simple midweek supper.
- Is easily adaptable for vegetarians.
- It is so versatile, you can switch up the cheeses and add extra veggies to suit your taste.
- It is a super budget-friendly recipe that doesn’t skimp on flavour.
- The perfect way to use up leftover bread and leftover cheese from a cheese board.
Ingredients:
Full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, just scroll down!
Chorizo - I love adding chorizo to recipes, it adds the most incredible smoky flavour.
Butter - opt for unsalted so you can control the salt levels in the dish (chorizo is often quite salty).
Garlic - I use 1 garlic clove for a subtle hint of garlic, you could add more if you prefer a stronger flavour.
Plain flour - also known as ‘all-purpose’ this helps thicken the sauce.
Milk - this helps create a smooth and creamy cheese sauce, opt for full-fat for the best results.
Cheddar - you want a good strong Cheddar so the flavour really comes through to create a rich and indulgent cheese sauce.
Salt - I recommend Maldon Salt for the best flavour. Up the chilli flavours by using their chilli flavour or opt for their garlic one for a stronger garlic flavour.
Black pepper - freshly ground black pepper adds a hint of warmth. You could use mixed peppercorns for a more complex flavour profile.
Macaroni - an iconic ingredient in any Mac and Cheese. You could use other small pasta shapes too.
Breadcrumbs - this adds a crispy, crunchy and oh-so-delicious topping to this Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese which is just too good to resist!
Substitutions and Variations:
- Chorizo: obviously this is a Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese so swapping the chorizo will change the whole flavour profile of the dish. However, you could make this recipe with bacon or chicken and enjoy a delicious Baked Mac and Cheese (add a generous pinch of smoked paprika or spoonful of ‘Nduja if you still want the smoky flavour).
- Cheese: you can mix and max the cheeses depending on what you have - Red Leicester, Gruyère, Parmesan and Pecorino are all so good. If you want to continue the Spanish vibes, you could use Manchego. I often make this Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese after a dinner party when I have odds and ends from a cheese board (it is also one of my go-to leftover Christmas dinner recipes).
- Veggies: think of my recipe for Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese as a base for you to customise with added veggies, if you wish. I tend to serve my veg on the side in the form of a simple salad, but you could stir through some peas, sweetcorn or spinach. Cherry tomatoes are especially good too.
Directions:
Here's a step by step guide for what you need to do, but you can find the full recipe below for detailed instructions.
ONE: Preheat the oven to 200°C (Fan), cook the chorizo in a pan until crisp, then transfer it to a separate bowl.
TWO: Make a white sauce by adding butter, garlic, flour, and milk to the pan.
THREE: Stir through around 100g of the grated cheese.
FOUR: Boil the macaroni until al dente, drain, mix with cheese sauce, adjust seasoning, and transfer to an ovenproof dish.
FIVE: Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
SIX: Pop in the oven and bake for 20 minutes - or until the top is golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Cooking Tips:
- Al dente pasta: watch the macaroni closely when boiling - you want it to be ‘al dente’ which means ‘to the bite’. It is going to be baked in the oven so you definitely don’t want to overcook it or it will go mushy.
- Smooth sauce: to have the perfect silky smooth sauce (with no lumps) keep stirring as you add the milk. I find whisking helps get rid of any stubborn lumps that remain. Don’t panic, just give it some elbow grease and it will be fine
Frequently Asked Questions
Macaroni is the best choice of pasta for a Mac and Cheese - but you could use pretty much any small pasta you have in your cupboard. I have had success with all sorts from penne to rigatoni to tubetti.
Well, firstly, in the UK we tend to call it ‘macaroni cheese’ rather than ‘mac and cheese’. Secondly, in America they tend to make their mac and cheese on the hob in a saucepan, whereas over here we pop it in the oven and bake it (for those irresistibly crispy bits on top). The cheeses are also slightly different - in the UK, Cheddar is the go-to (perhaps a bit of Red Leicester in some recipes), while in the US they use all sorts like mozzarella, cream cheese, Monterey Jack etc. You are also more likely to have it as a side dish in America (which is similar to how they serve it in the Caribbean), whereas in the UK it is seen as a main meal.
Answer
Of course! I tend to serve my veggies on the side but have had success adding all sorts such as peas, sweetcorn and spinach. Cherry tomatoes work really well too. You could also cook off some leeks with the chorizo if you have some lying around.
You absolutely can. Get it assembled and then pop it in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready for it. I would leave it to get to room temperature before popping in the oven.
I like to serve this Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese with a simple lightly dressed salad, but for full on comfort food, serve with garlic bread (ideally for popping up every last bit of that delicious smoky cheese sauce). I always have a packet in my freezer, although for next-level indulgence, my Cheesy Wild Garlic Bread is unbeatable.
Other recipes you might enjoy:
If you liked the sound of this Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese, I have so many other delicious Easy Pasta Recipes for you to try. My Spicy Sausage Pasta Bake is full of smoky ‘Nduja flavours and one of my go-to make-ahead recipes when I want to come home to a delicious meal, but know I will only have the energy to shove something in the oven and relax. Speaking of ‘Nduja, my Spicy 'Nduja Pasta literally takes just minutes to make and is perfect for when you are tired, hungry and need something delicious fast. Whilst we’re thinking about super speedy pasta recipes, don’t miss my Pasta al Pesto - think of it as pesto pasta taken to the next level with a delicious homemade pesto, zesty lemon, pearls of mozzarella and sweet, plump and juicy tomatoes just bursting with flavour… Yum!
Made this recipe and loved it?
I would love love LOVE if you could leave a review in the comments… I love hearing what you thought, any changes you made, the stories behind what made you try my recipes. Also, if you share a photo on Instagram, please tag me @desertislanddishes, it makes my day to see you making my creations!
PrintBaked Chorizo Mac and Cheese
Imagine mac and cheese, then take it to the next level by adding smoky chorizo… This Baked Chorizo Mac and Cheese is going to become your new favourite comfort food.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 - 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven Bake
- Cuisine: Global
Ingredients
- 180g chorizo sausage, diced into cubes
- 50g unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 50g plain flour
- About 750 ml full-fat milk
- 125g extra mature Cheddar, grated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 300g dried macaroni pasta
- 25g breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C Fan.
- Place a medium-sized non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chorizo and render down for a couple of minutes until crisp - you don’t need to add any oil as the chorizo has its own fat.
- Remove the chorizo from the pan and place in the bowl.
- Add the butter and garlic to the pan, stir well, then add the flour and whisk to a paste. Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to form a smooth sauce - you want it to be slightly runnier than a regular white sauce as it will thicken in the oven.
- Stir through around 100g of the grated cheese. Return the chorizo to the pan, stir through, then season to taste. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Meanwhile, boil the macaroni in salted water according to packet instructions - or until al dente. Drain well and stir through the cheese sauce until completely coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning, as needed. Tip into an ovenproof dish.
- Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Pop in the oven and bake for 20 minutes - or until the top is golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make it vegetarian-friendly: you can adapt this for vegetarians by using a plant-based chorizo.
- Serving suggestion: this is delicious served with a lightly dressed salad or, for ultimate comfort, some garlic bread.
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