Oh, friend. This recipe has been on my list for some time and I am so glad I am sharing it in time for Thanksgiving. Because I can promise you that there is no other way to do homemade mac & cheese. This one is the best Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese recipe that you will ever try. I know I sound confident, but that’s because I am! Wink! I am going to walk you through the entire recipe, but be sure and bookmark this one. Your family will be begging for it again and again and again. Not the healthiest by any means, but goodness gracious. Comfort food is heaven!

Step One

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees as well as bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Once your pot is boiling, add your macaroni pasta and 2 teaspoons of salt to the water and cook until al dente – about 7 to 9 minutes.

Step Two

You are going to want to dice one medium onion. 

Step Three

Heat up your pan and melt two cups of unsalted butter

Step Four

Once your butter has melted, add your diced onion to your skillet and saute for 5 to 7 minutes until soft. You want to make sure the onion doesn’t brown at all.

Step Five

Now add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour to your skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.

Step Six

Next, add 2 cups of heavy cream, 3 cups half and half, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of white pepper. You will want to bring your skillet to a simmer and cook until your sauce is thick – about 5 to 6 minutes.

Step Seven

Grate 3/4 lbs of your smoked cheddar cheese as well as 1/4 lbs of cheddar cheese.

Step Eight

Add all of the cheese into your skillet and stir to melt and combine.

Step Nine

Once the cheese has completely melted, combine your pasta and sauce and add 1 teaspoon of chipotle chili powder (less if you don’t like a little kick). Stir to combine.

Step Ten

Pour your macaroni and cheese into a casserole dish and then top with Panko breadcrumbs.

Step Eleven

Place your macaroni and cheese into your preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden. 

Trust me when I say, this Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese dish will wow at your Thanksgiving feast, but we also enjoy a lot in the colder months when comfort food just makes everything better. Just the right amount of kick and a delicious smoky flavor that will please all of the adults, but have the kids begging for seconds!

Let me know how you like it! And I would love to know, what are your plans for Thanksgiving this year? What are you going to be whipping up in the kitchen?

To enjoy more of our family’s favorite dishes, head here.

The Best Chipotle Mac & Cheese

Yield: 10-12 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 4 minutes

Total Time: 49 minutes

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Ingredients

• (2) 16 oz boxes of elbow macaroni
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 3/4 lbs smoked cheddar cheese
• 1/4 lbs cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried chipotle powder
• 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 teaspoons of salt and both packages of macaroni pasta and cook for 8-9 minutes or until al dente.
3. Drain pasta, toss in olive oil, and set aside.
4. Dice one medium yellow onion
5. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 4-6 minutes
6. Add flour and cook 1-2 minutes but do not brown
7. Add heavy cream, half-and-half, kosher salt, and white pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce is thick, about 5-6 minutes.
8. Grate cheese and add to sauce, stir to melt and combine.
9. Once cheese has melted, combine with the pasta and add chipotle powder. Stir to mix.
10. Pour pasta into a 9x12 casserole dish and top with Panko breadcrumbs
11. Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden

Notes

Use less chipotle powder if you don't want your macaroni and cheese to have a kick to it.