Baked Macaroni with Chorizo & Green Pepper | Cooking with Kimberly

chorizo

🥗Healthier: turkey chorizo

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Turkey chorizo reduces fat while still providing flavor.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar offers a lighter option without sacrificing taste.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: string cheese

Part-skim mozzarella is lower in fat and works well in baking.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Almond milk is a dairy-free option while evaporated milk can be more affordable.

Boil a large pot of water with a bay leaf and about 1 tablespoon of salt.

Add 375 grams of elbow macaroni to the boiling water; stir to prevent sticking.

Cover the pot to bring the water back to a boil quickly.

Chop 1 link of chorizo sausage into medallions and pan-fry in a skillet with olive oil until browned.

Add additional sausages (black pepper and sea salt sausages) to the skillet, removing them from their casings and chopping them up.

Slice and dice 1/2 green bell pepper into small pieces and add to the skillet with the sausages.

Slice mushrooms and chop a baked potato into chunks; add both to the skillet to brown with the sausage.

Stir the sausage and vegetable mixture to ensure even cooking and browning.

Drain the macaroni and return it to the pot; add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Prepare a quick tomato sauce by opening a can of whole tomatoes and mixing it with chopped fresh basil and parsley.

Add 1/2 can of tomato paste, a drizzle of olive oil, chili flakes, freshly cracked black pepper, salt, a splash of Malbec wine, and 1.5 teaspoons of sugar to the tomato mixture; blend until smooth.

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed; set aside.

Grease the baking dish using leftover bacon grease or olive oil.

Combine the macaroni, sausage, and vegetable mixture in a large pot; add the tomato sauce and stir to combine.

Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Top with additional sauce if desired, and ensure everything is well mixed.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and slightly browned on top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens