Description
Irresistible Mexican mac and cheese reveals layers of comforting flavors blending traditional pasta with spicy southwestern ingredients. Creamy cheese sauce and crisp toppings create a memorable meal you will savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500g (1 lb) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cheddar or other cheese, freshly grated
- 180g (6 oz) salami, finely chopped
- 280g (9 oz) roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped
- 220g (7 oz) sun-dried tomato strips with oil, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup green olives, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup green onion, finely minced (3–4 stalks)
- ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped (or chives)
- 1 tsp each of garlic powder, salt, red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp each of thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper or 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Rosemary sprigs for decoration
- Jatz or other crispy spliters for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously coat loaf pan with cooking spray and line interior with cling wrap, ensuring extended edges for easy removal.
- Mixing: Blend cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, and spices until smooth. Fold in cheddar, roasted peppers, salami, green olives, and green onions, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Seasoning: Adjust taste with salt and pepper, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Verify mixture is thoroughly combined.
- Molding: Transfer mixture into prepared pan, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets and create a sleek surface. Seal with overhanging cling wrap.
- Chilling: Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or up to one week to allow flavors to develop and intensify. Longer chilling deepens taste complexity.
- Unmolding: Invert chilled loaf onto serving platter, carefully removing cling wrap to reveal textured cheese creation.
- Finishing: Embellish with scattered sun-dried tomatoes, drizzled tomato oil, chopped parsley, and rosemary sprigs. Create an visually appealing presentation.
- Serving: Let loaf rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften texture. Provide cheese spreaders and invite guests to enjoy this gourmet appetizer.
Notes
- Prep Perfection: Line the pan with cling wrap extending over sides for effortless removal and clean extraction of the cheese loaf.
- Blend Brilliance: Mix ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even distribution of salami, peppers, olives, and green onions to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite.
- Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles; can be prepared up to one week in advance.
- Serving Savvy: Let the loaf rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to enhance texture and release full flavor potential, providing cheese spreaders for easy enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 60mg