This mega creamy Lightened Up Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese is crazy flavorful infused with salsa verde, pepper jack and sharp cheddar and super easy to make! Iโve also included the option to add chicken, corn and zucchini for a complete meal all in one and on your table in under 30 minutes!
Happy National Pasta Day! Today Iโm celebrating with this ridiculously delicious Lightened Up Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese because Mexican food + creamy pasta = my dreams come true. And hopefully yours too!
I loooooove Macaroni and Cheese from my Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese to Beefy Buffalo Mac and Cheese to my Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese and I loooove salsa verde from my Homemade Salsa Verde to my Salsa Verde Chicken to my Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas. So why not combine my two loves and make Salsa Verde Macaroni and Cheese?!
I chose to make this Mac and Cheese a meal in one with the addition of chicken, zucchini and corn that sautรฉ for a couple minutes with some salt and pepper. You can certainly leave the chicken and veggies out or swap out the veggies for whatever you have on hand. Ground beef would also be divine instead of chicken in this Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese.
The lightened up Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Sauce – that tastes anything but light – has only 2 tablespoons of butter and no heavy cream so you can feel a little less guilty about eating half the pan. And I ate almost half the pan.
The sauce has a nice kick thanks to the salsa verde and the pepper jack cheese, but shouldnโt be overly spicy for your kiddos. I add ancho chili pepper for even more of a kick and my husband loaded it with hot sauce but I recommend tasting the sauce before adding and heat because even without extra heat its packed with fiestalicious flavor!
To make the quick homemade cheese sauce, simply melt your butter in some olive oil and whisk in some flour, cook for 2 minutes then stir in your salsa verde, milk and evaporated milk. The evaporated milk helps create an incredibly silky sauce thatโs not only lighter but doesnโt separate or curdle.
Next, stir in your Cheeses and your optional chicken and veggies and silkilicoius Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese is served!
Want to try thisย Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese?
Pin itย to your PASTA, MEXICAN, or DINNER Board to SAVE for later!
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ยฉCarlsbad Cravingsย by CarlsbadCravings.com
LOOKING FOR MORE RECIPES WITH SALSA VERDE?
- Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken
- Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas (READERS FAV!)
- Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken and Rice Bake
- Salas Verde Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Queso Verde Corn Dip
- Chicken in Coconut Mango Verde Sauce (READERS FAV!)
Looking for more Mexican recipes?
- (Lighter) Cheesy Taco Pasta
- One Skillet Mexican Chicken and Rice (with Jalapeno Ranch)
- Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos
- (Skinny) Sante Fe BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta
- Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 1 pound cellentani pasta (may sub rigatoni, penne or macaroni)
- 1 pound chicken breasts chopped into bite size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped zucchini
- 1 cup sweet corn
- salt and pepper
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup AP flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup Homemade Salsa Verde (or mild storebought Herdez)
- 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspon ground cumin
- 1 cup freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ancho chili pepper, (optional)
- Hot sauce to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in generously salted water just until al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken, season with ½ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper and cook just until the outside of the chicken is no longer pink. Add zucchini and corn and cook an additional 1-2 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked through and zucchini is crisp-tender. Remove to a plate and wipe out skillet.
- To the now empty skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat then whisk in flour. Cook, while stirring for 2 minutes. Turn heat to low then gradually whisk in milk, salsa verde evaporated milk, salt and cumin.
- Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened (but not overly thick). Remove from heat and stir in pepper jack cheese until melted followed by cheddar cheese until completely melted. Taste and add ancho chili powder if desired.
- Add pasta and toss until evenly coated. Add chicken/corn/zucchini and stir until evenly combined. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and hot sauce if desired.
Notes
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ยฉCarlsbad Cravings Original
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Jen! Another bowl of delicious comfort food! Having made your Million Dollar Mac n’ Cheese I can testify that your skills in comfort food at an A+! I think the addition of pulled pork would be interesting as I happen to love both good pulled pork and mac n’ cheese!
Lora says
Baked ziti is my family’s favorite pasta to,have at home…for me it’s about the toasted bread crumbs on top and all the gooey cheese.
David says
My favorite is macaroni and cheese, but we cook ours in the oven so we can get that golden brown layer of cheese on top.
Edye says
I love making homemade mac and cheese ๐
latanya says
I like making fettuccine Alfredo.
Melissa says
My new favorite pasta dish is cacio e pepe. It’s simple, but so delicious!
carol clark says
i like making homemade mac and chees my family loves it but i also have some other pasta dishes as well that my family loves as well though…….i cant comment but maybe this time
carol clark says
i like making homemade mac and chees my family loves it but i also have some other pasta dishes as well that my family loves as well though……
manda says
Carbonara
Cheryl Wilson says
My favorite pasta to make at home is Peppardelle with Creamy Leek & Bacon sauce.
Dandi D says
My favorite pasta dish to make for my family is baked spaghetti.
Dandi D says
My favorite pasta dish to make for my family is baked spaghetti or pizza hot dish.
Layne says
ok this looks incredible and I’m totally making this soon, if not tonight! And also I’ve been wanting this pot! What an awesome giveaway! My favorite pasta is carbonara or simple tomatoes, garlic, and basil that simmers while the pasta cooks. Delish!
Elle says
I love to make spaghetti and meatballs in meat sauce. Yum!
carol clark says
i like making homemade mac and chees my family loves it but i also have some other pasta dishes as well that my family loves as well though….
Victor Williams says
I will give this tasty looking mac and cheese a try but my favorite as of late is cacio e pepe.
Joan Kubes says
I do a lot of cooking. This Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper Pastaiola Set would be so nice to have in my kitchen. I’d make my favorite spaghetti with meatballs.
Alexandra robertson says
I am definitely making this! My favorite pasta dish to make at home is cajun chicken and kielbasa pasta.
Hil says
I love spaghetti bolognese with my mom’s sauce recipe!
Sallie Elliott says
I can’t wait to try this!! Love the lighter option. One of the favorites in my house is shrimp with sundried tomatoes in angel hair pasta.
Kiley says
This looks so yummy! My favorite go-to pasta is a copy cat Olive Garden fettuccine alfredo!
Kiley says
This looks so yummy! My favorite go-to pasta dish is a copy cat Olive Garden fettuccine alfredo!
"Ginger" says
I love making a spaghetti with spicy sausage and garlic meat sauce… with freshly grated Parmesan.
Ginger says
I love making a spaghetti with spicy sausage and garlic meat sauce… with freshly grated Parmesan.
Kristi says
Can’t wait to try this pasta! My favorite dish to make is bread bowls filled with a marinara based meat sauce.
Gina Godewyn says
My favorite pasta is Mennonite traditional perogie, what we called Wareneki. It’s a cottage cheese perogie, with a homemade pasta dough. We fried our sausage, and then made a gravy with heavy cream in the sausage drippings, and served it on top of the perogies. Sometimes we had a rhubarb sauce to go with it too. It’s the best meal in the world ๐
Tina Quartaroli says
My overall favorite is angel hair with an eggplant puttanesca, but right now I am loving a cheesy, white wine pumpkin sauce with fresh fettucine, or, if we’re in the mood for a more mac and cheese-ish dish, I use dry rotini or fusilli.
Kathy B says
My favorite is mac and cheese or maybe carbonera, of fettucini . . .
Love this pot!
Kathy B says
My favorite is mac and cheese – this recipe looks great. I also have a ton of other favorite pasta dishes that would be great in this beautiful pot.
Clarence says
Hands down my favorite pasta dish to make at home is 4 cheese macaroni and cheese. The gooey cheese covering perfectly al dente pasta is such a comforting dish to make and to consume with family and friends.
Clarence says
Hands down my favorite pasta dish to make at home is 4 cheese macaroni and cheese. The gooey cheese covering perfectly al dente pasta is such a comforting dish to make and to consume with family and friends. I can’t wait to makle it again very soon
Sarah R. says
My favorite pasta dish to make at home is orecchiette with pesto, peas, green beans, and chicken sausage.
Tori Huddleston says
This looks incredible! Our favorite pasta dish is your 20 minute sundried tomato pesto shrimp pasta! It is so easy yet so delicious and feels very fancy! This is also my go to meal when bringing a meal to someone and have made it for many friends who always agree it is amazing!
Jen says
Thank you so much Tori, I absolutely LOVE hearing how much you enjoy the 20 Minute Sundried Tomato Pesto Shrimp Pasta! Its one of my absolutely favorites so I especially love it when others share in my foodie passion ๐
Nicola says
This looks SO YUMMY! My favorite pasta dish lately has been cheese tortellini and sauteed turkey sausage in a rich and creamy tomato sauce. It won my boyfriend over and has been a staple in our kitchen for years!
Tori Huddleston says
This looks amazing! Our favorite pasta dish is actually your 20 minute sundried tomato pesto shrimp pasta!! It is so easy yet delicious and feels fancy! It is my go to dish when bringing families meals or having friends over for dinner and they always leave with the recipe!
Tori Huddleston says
This looks amazing! Our favorite pasta dish is actually your 20 minute sundried tomato pesto shrimp pasta!! It is so easy yet delicious and feels fancy! It is my go to dish when bringing families meals or having friends over for dinner and they always leave with the recipe!!
LindY G Sherrod says
My family loves my spaghetti, I have my own special sauce and they love it.
Cindy I. says
In the summer I love Pesto pasta!
Tina Quartaroli says
My overall favorite is angel hair with eggplant puttanesca, but right now I am loving a cheesy, white wine pumpkin sauce with fresh fettucine, or, if we’re in the mood for a more mac and cheese-ish dish, I use dry rotini or fusilli.
Lynnette B says
My grandmother’s lasagna recipe.
Rafia Awais says
Hi Jen,
Loved this recipe! (As usual) ๐
I love pasta in any way. Hot,cold, leftovers, anything pasta is for me. It’s hard to choose my favorite pasta but I’m gonna go with your lightened fettuccine alfredo topped with a crispy topping and broiled for a few minutes.
Rafia Awais says
Hi Jen,
Loved this recipe! (As usual) ๐
I love pasta in any way. Hot,cold, leftovers, anything pasta is for me. It’s hard to choose my favorite pasta but I’m gonna go with your lightened fettuccine alfredo topped with a crispy topping and broiled for a few minutes with a side of pan fried chicken breast.
Carolyn in Utah says
My 3 teenage boys are always asking for pesto on fusilli for dinner. My personal favorite is bucatini with poblano -parmesan sauce and shrimp. So delish!
I never really make mac & cheese for my family because it just seems so unhealthy but I’m going to try your recipe with the veggies and chicken– thanks!
Pam says
Will definitely try this one, love the fact that it’s on the lighter side ! I would be shunned if I didn’t say Mom’s mac and cheese is the best !
Sally Heath says
My daughter and I love making our “Asian Mac ‘n Cheese with Chicken” dish. It’s an addiction! : )) Thanks for sharing your recipes. YUM!
Kathy B says
Mac and Cheese is a favorite – and your recipe looks great. Actually any pasta dish is a favorite and would work great in this beautiful pot! Love Langostina!
Jen says
My favorite pasta dish would have to be lemon basil pasta with chicken. Mmmmmm
Kari M says
My favorite pasta to make is my mom’s spaghetti.
Marie Bryan says
My favorite pasta to cook at home is a simple Angel Hair pasta with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes, with a dusting of Parmesan cheese of course!
Perri says
Lasagna is my favorite but when it comes to the family, Mac and cheese rules! Can’t wait to try this version out on them! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
angelina says
I love the idea of this, and will try it as it, w/o corn. While I understand textures wanting to be in there, the corn just doesn’t work. will give you an update in the future. Thanks for a great spin on mac n cheese! SO tired of “basic” mac n cheese recipes. thanks again for your efforts and the time you put in. it is
GREATLY appreciated! Love your blog!
Patsy Janowitz says
Literally any pasta dish will do. Among the favorites are linguine with white clam sauce and simple spaghetti with just about any sauce.`
Perri D says
The truth is that I have never met a pasta dish I didn’t like! The family favorite hands down is macaroni and cheese! I can’t wait to try this out on them. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Tracy says
Oh this looks great, will be trying this weekend when my kid is home for fall break! My favorite pasta to make is Lemon Pasta (Giada’s recipes) it is a family favorite and soooo easy to make!
Haleigh says
My favorite pasta to make is fettuccini alfredo!
Kathy says
Really, we love anything with pasta. Something using butternut squash sounds good right now… maybe lasagna?
Jami says
This looks so good! And I have some homemade salsa verde and pepper jack!!! My favorite pasta dish to cook is homemade tagliatelle with bolegnese!
Kathy says
(Sorry if this is a duplicate post… got a message that the site wasn’t working when I tried before.) We love anything with pasta. Something using butternut squash sounds good right now… maybe lasagna?
Hana says
My favorite pasta to make and eat is Japchae, Korean potatoe starch noodle with lots of spinach, shiitake mushrooms, and other good stuff. It’s also gluten free! However my kid’s favorite is Chicken Pesto Pasta!
jon says
cacio e pepe is always a great dish after an exhausting day, but this mac & cheese looks simple enuff too :^)
C.l.pruitt says
My go to favorite mac and cheese is Crab, Asparagus and Gruyere Cavatini! …. However my husband loves Salsa Verde, so I’m gonna give this one a try over the weekend.
Julie says
This is a “must make” for tonight’s dinner! My family loves pasta, one of their favs is parmesan herb chicken & orzo with a bunch of veggies!
Mary B says
To be honest, any pasta dish is my favorite pasta dish. If it didn’t go straight to my you-know-where, I could have pasta every day, for every meal. At home, when I do indulge, my go to fave has got to be mac & cheese. Out of the blue box or handcrafted with yummy delectable cheeses, I love it all.
Kelsey Garfield says
I’m the biggest Carlsbad Cravings fan!! I know I can trust all these recipes to be easy to follow and DELICIOUS! Carlsbad Cravings is my first go to when looking for recipes. I’m excited to try out this mac and cheese dish!
Rachel says
I love making lasagna! Would love to use such a beautiful pot.
Samantha R says
Oh my gosh what a great giveaway! I would love love love this!
That mac and cheese looks AMAZING. I have such a soft spot for mac and cheese.
My usual pasta dish is BLT pasta – easy, fairly quick, and super yummy!
Judy Oler says
Yum! Our favorite is spaghetti with meat sauce
Alyssa says
Mac and cheese. With cream and sharp cheddar. Can’t go wrong
Lori Pitts says
I love to make pesto cavatappi with mushrooms and grape tomatoes
Holly says
Ohh pasta is my weakness!! Anything and everything, but my go to faves are Fettucini Alfredo and a sun-dried tomato pasta! But I won’t say no to most any pasta ๐
Ali Gieselman says
I love some pumpkin baked ziti with sage sausage! Especially this time of year!
Kimberly B. says
Nailing my favorite pasta dish down to one is difficult because I love so many! But I have to say, bacon carbonara is a family favorite and so versatile. Have some fresh spinach that’s getting old? Toss it in! Need to use up that last garden tomatoe? Add that too! There’s nothing easier. And don’t forget the bacon, lots of bacon. Nature’s candy!
Deb Jacobs says
I can’t wait to try this mac n cheese recipe! I must admit my favorite pasta to make it home is fettuccine alfredo because it makes the hubby and sons so happy But I love to cook any and all pasta dishes!
Court hall says
Love your recipes! Would love the new pot!
Haejin says
Homemade Mac n Chesse! Thanks for the giveaway ๐
Haejin says
Homemade Mac n Chesse! ๐
pc Brown says
My favourite pasta dish is actually home made mac and cheese (my kids say they will praise it at my funeral! lol), so I am definitely going to try this recipe- it looks SO GOOD!
Lynn V says
My favorite pasta dish made by my husband is his signature fettuccine alfredo. My favorite pasta dish made by me is herbed butter and goat cheese linguine. We are a family of pasta lovers! Thanks for the chance!
Kristen says
Mac and cheese is definitely my favorite! So versatile and this version looks amazing!
Stephanie says
I love to make lasagna in my skillet!
Holli Ewell says
We are big pasta fans in our house! My husband and I both have Italian grandmas, which may contribute to the love affair. Plus my kids all have PKU, so they are on a very strict diet. Over the years they have eaten their special low protein pasta almost every day. We feel pasta goes well with almost anything, but especially like homemade marinara sauce or a good pesto. I have also tried some of your pasta recipes and have loved them all, especially the light creamy sundried tomato one:)
Molly Wade says
I’m known for my homemade baked Mac n cheese! I love making it along with lots of your recipes (I made the French dip sandwichs and salted Carmel apple peanut butter dip). However it would this would be a helpful and awesome addition to my cooking and would take away having to use my goofy old plastic colander
Jessica Gurney says
My Grandma’s homemade lasagna is the family favorite pasta at our house but we probably consume pasta 2-3 times a week. Carbs forever baby! Love this pot and your scrumptious recipes!
Tess B says
I am excited to try this! I pinned it for next week! I love to make a 4 cheese pasta! Anything creamy is my jam!
Kristy tidwell says
Chicken cordon bleu pasta
cheryl larimer says
My favorite at home pasta dish is Beef Stroganoff. The grandkids eat just the buttered noodles and the rest of us eat the meat/sauce. It is such an easy dish to make and is my fall back for company.
Jennifer Scarsi says
Love to make mac and cheese!!!
P.K. says
You are an inspiring cook. I have never understood boxed M&C over homemade. While you are cocking pasta the same way for both you can make a real cheese sauce even if you are not going to bake it in the traditional manner.
Janet St. says
I love macaroni and cheese, there are so many versions and additions that transform it into an “adult” dish. It needn’t be just for kids.
Thanks for the tip about using evaporated milk! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Deedeegee says
Love all your recipes! My grandchildren love home made Mac and cheese, so will use this reicipe for sure!
jan says
Macaroni and cheese is our favorite… can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
Sharon says
My favorite is a browned butter Alfredo with rotini and roasted chicken. What a beautiful pot!!
Brittany Hansen says
Yum!!! Can’t wait to try it! Love this blog! Our favorite is fettucine alfredo!
Sharon says
One of my favorites is browned butter alfredo with rotini and roasted chicken.
Jana Rocha says
Mac and cheese or spaghetti with meat sauce. This recipe looks delicious!
Denise Wren says
Well Jen…. You did it again! Another delish recipe. This will be the go to family party side dish for sure. I can’t wait to make it again….for my brother-in-law this Thanksgivng…we shall see if his Mama still makes the best! Keep’ em comingโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ! Denise
Jen says
Thank you so much Denise, I am so happy it was a hit and what a fun side dish to bring! I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving with the best Mac and Cheese ๐
Jill says
Homemade Mac n cheese is the BEST. I can never find cavatappi, anywhere! I’d love one of these pots. And some cavatappi….
Meagan says
I love having lasagna, and I usually make extra to freeze or give away (especially for new moms or people who are sick).
Heather says
First and for most I love your site! Your food is wonderful, flavorful and almost a guaranteed passage straight for my “tried and true” recipe binder. My boyfriend and I are huge fans of your recipes and try a new one almost every week since coming across your site about 6 months ago. I have one complaint… I don’t like your new recipe printer. The old was literally my favorite from all my sites I frequent. It was clean, almost always fit on one page and I like that it printed with your beautiful food pics. They fit and looked great in my recipe binder. This new one is spaced out, now almost always prints on two pages and no more pic. Please.. please go back to the old one, it was so much better.
Jen says
Hi Heather, so sorry for the delay as we just moved and things have been a lot crazy but THANK YOU so much for the super kind comment! I am so honored and flattered that my recipes are such a hit with you both! As far as the new recipe format, I had to change it due to technical reasons but I have passed on your concerns onto my tech guy and I’m hoping he can fix them ASAP! Sorry for the inconvenience cut thank your patience!
Malerie D. says
Love penne with italian sausage
Michele Davidson says
This looks amazing!
I love to make homemade meat sauce with zesty Italian sausage and ground beef or spaghetti. Yum!
Brittany says
Any kind of homemade mac and cheese!! I have a buffalo chicken mac and cheese that is one of my favorite dishes to make!
Cherie says
Macaroni and cheese with poblano peppers and bacon ๐ Your taco pasta bake is also one of my favs!
Rana Durham says
i love making beef vegeable stragnoff.
Carolyn says
This was delicious! I had leftover salsa verde (from making those delicious creamy white chicken enchiladas) as well as some Monterey Jack cheese. I subbed Monterey Jack for pepper jack. Still delicious. Will be making again. Thanks for the recipe!
Jen says
You’re so welcome Carolyn! I’m so pleased it was a hit!
ashley y. says
My favorite pasta dish to make at home is probably a creamy white wine/mushroom sauce with a fat noodle like fettuccine or tagliatelle.
Geoff Spraguer says
Garlic Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo is my all time Favorite!
Jessica says
Quick Question: Could this be frozen and then baked it reheat? I’m in the process of putting meals away in our freezer for the birth of our first baby and was thinking this might be a good candidate?
THANKS!
Jen says
Hi Jessica, you are so on top of things! Yes, this should freeze very well. A few tips- make sure you cook your pasta al dente so it is slightly firm to prevent mushiness. To keep the pasta from absorbing too much sauce and making a dry dish, use 25% less pasta so the ratio of sauce to pasta is increased. Hope this helps! Congrats!
Jessica says
AWESOME!! Thank you!! Also. I just stumbled upon your site last week and LOVE your taste! Thanks so much!
Jen says
You are so welcome Jessica! I am glad we are share the same tastes – I know how fun it can be to fins a “foodie kindred spirit” ๐
Sue says
My favorite pasta to make at home is seafood mac and cheese with shrimp and lobster, but your recipe looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it!! And I would be so excited to win this pan!!
Jen says
That sounds divine Sue!
Heidi says
Just made this, turned out great! Added bacon, 1 clove of garlic, and onion, left out the corn and zucchini. Every recipe I’ve made turns out, thank you!!
Jen says
Hearing that everything you’ve made of mine has turned out is the ultimate compliment! I’m so happy you loved this pasta and your changes sound delicious!!
Kristy says
What can I use instead of evaporated milk? I am lactose intolerant.
I love your meals ..btw!
Jen says
Hi Kristy, I would use chicken broth. Enjoy!
Tami Geiger says
I made this in my Instant Pot for lunch today and it is amazing!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Tami, I am delighted you enjoyed it! I have been working my way through a backlog of comments and see yours somehow got lost in the mix! I appreciate you and hope youโre well!
Tamara says
This is absolutely delicious! I used ground beef and white cheddar cheese! Yumm! This was so creamy! Kiddos definitely loved it as well! Thank you for such versatile, delicious recipes!
Jen says
You are so welcome, Tamara, Iโm so glad you are enjoying my recipes! Thank you for taking the time to comment, I am thrilled this was such a hit!