Creamy Habanero Mac & Cheese

This creamy mac and cheese is full of flavour, with habanero skin adding a hint of fruitiness and green onions for a fresh boost. It’s rich, cheesy and easy to make with what you’ve already got in the fridge.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 habanero pepper, deseeded and deveined (use just the skin to add flavour, not heat)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheese (white and yellow cheddar work great)
• 2-3 cups cooked pasta
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking     constantly to keep it smooth. Let it simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, until sauce thickens.
2. Stir in the chopped green onions and habanero skin. Let them simmer in the hot sauce for a minute or two to release their flavour.
3. Turn the heat to low. Add the shredded cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with cayenne (if using), salt and pepper to taste.
4. Fold in the cooked pasta and stir until evenly coated. Add a splash more milk or extra cheese if needed.

‍

Kitchen Tip: Don’t have green onions? Use chopped white, yellow, or red onions or a clove of garlic. Got half a bell pepper, a few mushrooms or spinach in the fridge? Toss them in with in during Step 2 to add flavour and cut down on food waste.

Why Kitchen Storage Tools Matter in Community Kitchens

Food access is one part of the equation — having the tools to prepare and preserve meals is just as essential.

"In community kitchens, if you have the right tools to prepare your meals, the storage is a huge plus. Many foods can be frozen instead of canned, and then used when needed — some for weeks, some for months. It makes things quicker, easier and healthier. You don’t always want to spend hours chopping; if you’ve prepped and stored onions, sweet peppers, just toss them in a pan with seasoning and oil, add meat, and you’ve got a meal ready to go. It really is a huge plus here,” shared Noella Charles, senior culinary manger at Weston Frontlines Centre.

A Special Thanks to Ziploc

At Second Harvest, we are grateful for our partner Ziploc, whose generous support and donation of quality food storage products, like Ziploc Endurables, help community kitchens like Weston Frontlines Centre reduce waste and preserve fresh ingredients for more nutritious meals to come.

‍