Green Chile Macaroni Sopita

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of 85% lean ground beef,

garlic

salt

1 and 1/2 cups uncooked pasta

3/4 cup hot green chile

finely diced tomato

onion

garlic

one yellow can of El Pato (hot tomato sauce)

2 cups of beef stock

optional: broth

Muenster cheese

Instructions:

I browned 1/2 pound of 85% lean ground beef, garlic salt and pepper.

Add 1 and 1/2 cups uncooked pasta, 3/4 cup hot green chile and finely diced tomato, onion and garlic.

Fry/sauté these until the onion is translucent,

Add one yellow can of El Pato and about 2 cups of beef stock.

Cook at low boil for 8-10 minutes,

Add more broth for soupy style if desired.

Add Muenster cheese.

Enjoy!

Notes:

Customizable Protein: The recipe calls for 85% lean ground beef, but you can easily swap it out for ground turkey, chicken, or a leaner beef option to suit your dietary preferences or reduce the overall fat content.

Versatile Cheese Options: While Muenster cheese adds creaminess and flavor to the dish, you can substitute it with other meltable cheeses like Monterey Jack, cheddar, or mozzarella based on availability or taste preference.

Adjustable Spice Level: The spiciness of the dish can be tailored to your liking by varying the amount of hot green chile used. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can opt for a mild green chile sauce or reduce the quantity.

Flexible Pasta Choices: Although the recipe specifies uncooked pasta, you have the freedom to use various pasta shapes such as macaroni, penne, or rotini, depending on your preference. Different pasta shapes can alter the texture and appearance of the dish.

Customizable Broth Consistency: The addition of beef stock and optional broth allows you to adjust the consistency of the sopita according to your preference. Adding more broth will result in a soupy texture, while using less will yield a thicker consistency.

Vegetarian or Vegan Option: You can easily make a vegetarian or vegan version of this dish by replacing the ground beef with plant-based meat substitutes or omitting it altogether. Opt for vegetable broth instead of beef stock and choose vegan cheese options if desired.

Choice of Tomato Sauce: While El Pato hot tomato sauce adds a distinctive flavor, you can use a different brand or type of tomato sauce if preferred. Adjust the quantity based on your desired level of heat and flavor.

Translucent Onion Cooking Technique: The instruction to “fry/sauté until the onion is translucent” indicates cooking the diced onion and garlic until they become soft and translucent, usually about 5-7 minutes. This step releases their flavors and aromas into the dish.

Make It Your Own: This recipe offers plenty of opportunities for personalization. Whether you want to add extra vegetables, adjust the seasonings, or experiment with different toppings, feel free to make it your own to suit your taste preferences.

Convenient and Flavorful Meal: With its simple preparation steps and flavorful ingredients, Green Chile Macaroni Sopita is a convenient and satisfying meal option that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximate)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute the 85% lean ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a leaner beef option if you prefer.

This can help reduce the overall fat content of the dish.

Is El Pato hot tomato sauce necessary, or can I use a different brand?

While El Pato hot tomato sauce adds a unique flavor to the dish, you can use a different brand or type of tomato sauce if you prefer.

Adjust the amount based on your desired level of heat and flavor.

What can I substitute for Muenster cheese?

If you can’t find Muenster cheese or prefer a different cheese, you can use Monterey Jack, cheddar, or any cheese that melts well.

The choice of cheese can impact the flavor and creaminess of the dish.

What is the purpose of adding beef stock and optional broth?

The beef stock and optional broth are used to create a flavorful broth for the sopita.

The amount can be adjusted based on how soupy or thick you want the final dish to be.

You can omit the optional broth if you prefer a thicker consistency.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can make a vegetarian or vegan version of this dish by replacing the ground beef with plant-based meat substitutes or omitting it altogether.

Use vegetable broth instead of beef stock, and select vegan cheese options if desired.

Can I adjust the level of spiciness in this dish?

Yes, you can adjust the spiciness by using more or less hot green chile based on your preference.

If you prefer a milder flavor, you can also choose a mild green chile sauce or reduce the amount used.

Is the choice of pasta important, or can I use any type of pasta?

While the recipe calls for uncooked pasta, you can use various pasta shapes such as macaroni, penne, or rotini.

The choice of pasta can affect the texture and appearance of the dish but is flexible based on personal preference.

What can I substitute for Muenster cheese if I don’t have it?

If you don’t have Muenster cheese, you can substitute it with other mild, meltable cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or provolone.

The choice of cheese can impact the creaminess and flavor of the dish.

What does “fry/sauté until the onion is translucent” mean?

This step involves cooking the diced onion and garlic in the pan with other ingredients until they become soft and translucent, usually about 5-7 minutes.

This helps release their flavors and aromas into the dish.

What’s the purpose of the beef stock and optional broth?

The beef stock and optional broth are used to create a flavorful broth for the sopita.

You can adjust the amount based on your desired consistency.

Adding more broth will make the dish soupy, while using less will result in a thicker texture.