Macarrones con Queso y Chile Poblano (Poblano Mac and Queso)
Macaroni in a creamy, mild queso with roasted poblano and sweetcorn, topped with a crunch of crushed tostadas.
Made with Tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips) and Queso (Mexican cheese sauce). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.36 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Roast the poblanos under a very hot grill, turning, for 15 minutes until blistered. Cover in a bowl for 10 minutes, then peel, remove seeds and dice.
15 min - 2
Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water according to the packet instructions, adding the sweetcorn for the last 2 minutes. Drain well and toss with the oil.
10 min - 3
Warm your ready made queso (see the base recipe) gently in a small pan over a low heat, stirring, until steaming. Add a splash of milk if it has thickened. Do not let it boil.
- 4
Return the pasta and corn to the pan with the queso and the diced poblanos. Stir over a low heat for 2 minutes until hot and well coated.
2 min - 5
Loosen with a splash of milk or pasta water if it is too thick.
- 6
Serve in warm bowls, topped with the crushed tostadas (see the base recipe) and the coriander.
Tips
- Undercook the pasta by a minute, as it keeps soaking up sauce.
- Gluten free pasta can go sticky. Rinse briefly with hot water after draining.
- Crush the tostadas by hand just before serving so they stay crisp.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk until steaming hot all the way through. Not suitable for freezing.
Questions
Can I use ordinary pasta?
Yes. It is then no longer gluten free, but works just as well.
Is it spicy?
No, poblano is mild. Add pickled jalapeños or chilli flakes for more heat.
Can I bake it?
Yes. Pour into a dish, top with the crushed tostadas and bake at 200 degrees C for 10 minutes.
More made with tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips)
Nachos de Barbacoa con Queso (Loaded Beef Nachos)
GFEFNFTostadas de Frijol y Elote (Bean and Street Corn Tostadas)
GFNFTostadas de Coliflor al Pastor (Pastor Cauliflower Tostadas)
GFDFEFNachos de Queso con Frijoles y Escabeche (Cheese Nachos)
GFEFNFSee every dish made with tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
More Mexican recipes
Pollo con Mole Poblano y Arroz Rojo (Chicken in Mole Poblano with Red Rice)
GFDFEFBurritos de Chile Colorado (Red Chilli Beef Burritos)
EFNF