Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese
Make Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese, an American dinner recipe with elbow macaroni, canned tuna in water, drained, unsalted butter. It has about 30 min, about 560 calories per serving. Get ingredients, step-by-step instructions, nutrition estimates, FAQs, and Recipe Genius app tools.
Quick answer
Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese is an American dinner recipe that takes about 30 min, makes 4 servings, has about 560 calories per serving. Use the ingredients and steps below, or open it in Recipe Genius for guided Cook Mode, timers, serving changes, and a shopping list.
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View on AmazonSmoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese ingredients
- 1.5 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cans (5 oz each) canned tuna in water, drained
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
How to make Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain the pasta well, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and set the pasta aside.
- In a large saucepan or deep skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a light roux. It should be lightly golden and fragrant.
- Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form in the sauce. Continue to whisk as the sauce heats and thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes, until it reaches a gentle simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese until they are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the 1 minced chipotle pepper (and 1 teaspoon of its adobo sauce), 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the cheese sauce. Mix well to distribute the smoky and spicy flavors.
- Add the drained macaroni and the 2 cans of thoroughly drained canned tuna to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the pasta and tuna are thoroughly coated with the sauce.
- If the sauce appears too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro if desired. For a slight textural contrast, a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs can be added just before serving.
Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese FAQ
How do I make Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese?
Make Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese by gathering the ingredients below, following the step-by-step instructions, and checking that everything is cooked safely before serving.
What ingredients are in Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese?
The main ingredients include elbow macaroni, canned tuna in water, drained, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, whole milk. The full ingredient list is included on this page.
How long does Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese take?
This recipe takes about 30 min, depending on prep speed and kitchen equipment.
How many calories are in Smoky Chipotle Tuna Mac & Cheese?
Recipe Genius estimates about 560 calories per serving. Nutrition is estimated, so use your own labels when precision matters.