Smokey Turkey Green Chili Mac & Cheese
Recipe: #21463
October 25, 2015
Categories: Casseroles, Turkey, Cheese, Mexican, Southwest Cinco de Mayo, Game/Sports Day, Potluck, Sunday Dinner, Oven Bake, Spicy, Mexican Casseroles, Mexican Dinner, more
"I found the base of this recipe on a BBQ site; and, it looked absolutely delicious. I had some smoked chicken to use up; and, thought this would be a perfect recipe to try. After a few changes; this was the result. Now, not everyone has smoked chicken in their fridge or freezer; but, many grocery stores carry smoked turkey these days. So, that is what I would suggest you use; however, you could always use a 'every day' rotisserie chicken too. It's a really nice creamy dish. I really suggest you try to get the smoked turkey; it is really good in this dish."
Original is 4-8 servings
Ingredients
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- SAUCE
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- TOPPING
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Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (481 g)
- Calories 1076.1
- Total Fat - 52.1 g
- Saturated Fat - 18.4 g
- Cholesterol - 107.9 mg
- Sodium - 1656 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 112.1 g
- Dietary Fiber - 16.8 g
- Sugars - 9.8 g
- Protein - 45.7 g
- Calcium - 580.5 mg
- Iron - 3.3 mg
- Vitamin C - 9.1 mg
- Thiamin - 0.5 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Pasta ... Cook the pasta according to package directions in plenty of salted water. Drain, and transfer to a casserole dish, lightly sprayed with a non-stick spray. Add the cooked diced turkey to the casserole dish with the pasta.
Step 2
Sauce ... In the same pot; no reason to dirty up another pot - add the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, butter; and, a pinch of salt and pepper. Saute on medium heat for 3 minutes; you do NOT want it to burn, so stir often. Then, add the flour, and cook for another minute or two, to get rid of the 'raw flour' taste; make sure everything is well combined. Then, slowly add the milk - room temp, NOT cold, whisking as you add the it - make sure there are no lumps. Cook on medium heat, just until the sauce begins to thicken; do NOT let it come to a boil. Then, remove from the heat and add the olives, chilies, cheese, and paprika. Make sure to season the sauce with salt and pepper if needed. The red pepper is spicy; so, go easy.
Step 3
Casserole ... Pour the cheese sauce over the chicken and pasta; and, lightly toss until everything is mixed together.
Step 4
Topping ... In a small bowl or measuring cup, melt the butter in the microwave on medium heat for just a few seconds. Then, add the crackers; and, toss to combine. I like to crush the crackers in a ziploc bag. Just use a mallet, heavy pot or pan; or, just 'squish the bag. Top the casserole with the cracker crumb mix.
Step 5
Bake ... Uncovered in a 350 degree oven, middle shelf for 30 minutes; until the topping is golden brown; and the casserole is bubbly. Remember, everything is cooked; you are just warming everything up.
Step 6
ENJOY! ... Simply serve with a salad topped with avocado and a salsa vinaigrette for a Southwest Mexican inspired dinner. A couple of times, I even added small pimentos or diced red pepper too. So, have fun with it.
Tips
No special items needed.
Editorial Notes
The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.
- Make sure to use room temperature milk when making the cheese sauce; cold milk can cause lumps in the sauce.
- If you can't find smoked turkey, a rotisserie chicken can be used instead.
- Instead of smoked turkey, you can use cooked rotisserie chicken. This substitution will give the dish a more traditional flavor that is still rich and creamy.
- Instead of Pepper Jack cheese, you can use Cheddar cheese. This substitution will give the dish a milder flavor and will still provide the creamy texture.
Vegetarian Version Replace the smoked turkey with 2 cups of diced mushrooms and 1 can of drained black beans. Omit the butter and use olive oil instead.
Avocado and Salsa Vinaigrette Salad. This light and refreshing salad is the perfect accompaniment to the Smokey Turkey Green Chili Mac & Cheese. The creamy avocado and tangy vinaigrette dressing will contrast nicely with the cheese and smokey flavors of the mac & cheese. Plus, it adds a nice dose of veggies to the meal!
Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Baked Sweet Potato Fries are the perfect complement to the Smokey Turkey Green Chili Mac & Cheese. The sweetness of the fries will contrast nicely with the smokiness of the mac & cheese, while the crispy texture of the fries will add a nice crunch to the dish. Plus, sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber and vitamins, making this a nutritious side dish!
FAQ
Q: What type of cheese should I use for this recipe?
A: Pepper Jack cheese is recommended for this recipe, but you can use any type of cheese that you prefer.
Q: How long does it take to cook this recipe?
A: Depending on the size and thickness of your dish, it should take about 30 minutes to cook this recipe.
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Fun facts:
Fun Fact 1: The dish Smokey Turkey Green Chili Mac & Cheese is inspired by the flavors of Southwestern Mexican cuisine. This cuisine was popularized by the famous chef, Rick Bayless, who is known for his Mexican-inspired dishes.
Fun Fact 2: The dish Smokey Turkey Green Chili Mac & Cheese is a great way to use up leftover smoked turkey. This type of turkey is a popular dish in the Southern United States, which is famous for its smoked, barbecued and slow-cooked meat dishes.