Hatch Chile Bacon Mac and Cheese

This Hatch Chile mac and cheese recipe was created as part of a sponsored post for Central Market.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Hatch Chile season.  It’s short {the peppers are available only in August} but sweet … or spicy, as the case may be!  I love wandering through the aisles of Central Market, checking out the huge variety of  Hatch Chile products and planning my own Hatch Chile recipes.  This Hatch Chile bacon mac and cheese is my latest creation and it’s a new favorite!  It’s easy, delicious comfort food at its best!

The Hatch Chile Festival is taking place right now at Central Market and if you’ve never been, it’s really something!  Nobody does Hatch better than Central Market!  The Hatch Chiles at Central Market are the real deal, straight from the Hatch Valley of New Mexico.  Central Market has worked with the same farm for over twenty years and they’re the best peppers you’ll find anywhere!

From sweet to savory, from cookies to bacon to popcorn to bread varieties, Hatch Chiles have infused so many products at Central Market.  In addition to prepared items made with Hatch Chiles, Central Market sells fresh and roasted Hatch Chiles {roasted on-site daily}.  And they’re available in both mild and hot varieties, so those that don’t love hot and spicy can still enjoy the Hatch Chile flavor!

I love the convenience of buying the chiles already roasted but I also buy bags of fresh Hatch Chiles to cook myself.  They’re so good grilled on the barbecue, roasted in the oven, or tossed into a stirfry!

 I couldn’t resist stocking up on some of my favorites, along with a pile of new things I wanted to try, when I went to the Hatch Chile Festival at Central Market.  I told you we love Hatch Chile season {wink}!

Want to see what I made with the roasted Hatch Chile peppers I bought?  Hatch Chile Bacon Mac and Cheese!  This recipe can be whipped up in about twenty minutes … and the whole pan will probably be eaten in about the same amount of time!

To make this recipe, you’ll need

1 pound uncooked pasta

3 roasted Hatch Chiles

8 slices Hatch Chile bacon {or regular bacon}

3 cups milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups shredded gruyere cheese

salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare the pasta according to package instructions.  

While it’s cooking, cook the bacon, drain well, and chop coarsely.

Coarsely chop the roasted Hatch Chiles.

In a saucepan, heat the milk over low heat, add the cheese, and stir occasionally until the cheese is fully melted.  Be careful not to allow the milk to boil.  Once the cheese is melted, add salt and pepper to taste, about 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 3/4 teaspoon salt.

Drain the pasta and return it to the pan.  Add the chopped bacon and chiles then pour the sauce over, adding as much as or as little as you like, depending how creamy you like your pasta.  I add about 3/4 of the sauce but some of my family members like to add a bit more to their servings.

Stir to mix well …

… and serve!

This savory dish will become a favorite so be sure to freeze roasted Hatch Chiles so you can make it all year round!

What’s your favorite way to use Hatch Chiles?  Check out more great Hatch Chile recipes and ways to prepare Hatch Chiles from Central Market!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Central Market.