SMOKY BEAN & CHORIZO MAC 'N' CHEESE

Smoky bean & chorizo mac 'n' cheese image

Add a spicy twist to mac 'n' cheese with chorizo, chipotle and smoked paprika, plus a stretchy mozzarella and cheddar topping

Provided by Esther Clark

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
200g chorizo , 1/2 chopped and 1/2 sliced into rounds
1 onion , finely sliced
1 garlic clove , crushed
2 tsp smoked paprika
1-2 tbsp chipotle chilli paste
1 tsp ground coriander
400g can chopped tomatoes
½ tbsp light brown soft sugar
400g can mixed beans , drained
400g macaroni pasta
50g butter
50g plain flour
2 tsp English mustard
1l semi-skimmed milk
grating of nutmeg
250g mature cheddar
100g grated mozzarella
1 large ripe avocado , peeled and stoned
1 lime , zested and juiced
1 small red chilli , finely chopped
½ small bunch of coriander , finely chopped

Steps:

Heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan or flameproof casserole dish set over a medium heat and fry the chorizo for 5 mins until crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
Add the onion and fry for 8-10 mins, or until sticky and golden. Add the garlic, paprika, chipotle paste and ground coriander, then tip in the tomatoes, sugar and beans. Stir everything together and simmer, uncovered, for 15 mins or until reduced. Stir the chorizo back into the pan and season to taste.
Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a pan until foaming, then stir in the flour and cook for 2 mins. Stir in the mustard. Remove from the heat and gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time. Return the pan to the heat and cook for 3-4 mins more, whisking continuously until thick and smooth. Grate over some nutmeg, stir in 200g of the cheddar and season to taste.
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling water for 2 mins less than the pack instructions. Drain and toss with the cheese sauce. Tip the cheesy pasta into a large baking dish, then drop the smoky bean mixture into it in spoonfuls. Top with the remaining cheddar and the mozzarella, then bake for 25 mins, or until golden and bubbling.
Meanwhile, make the guacamole. Put the avocado flesh in a bowl with the lime juice and zest, and roughly mash to a chunky texture. Stir through the chilli and half the coriander and season to taste. Serve the mac 'n' cheese with guacamole on the side, with the remaining coriander scattered over.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 895 calories, Fat 48 grams fat, SaturatedFat 22 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 75 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 16 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 41 grams protein, Sodium 2.6 milligram of sodium