Mexi-Mac And Cheese

• 1 pound Macaroni or penne pasta
• 1-2 cups Cheddar-jack cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups Minced white onion
• 1 1/2 cups Minced cilantro leaves and stems
• 3 Cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Whole cumin seed
• 1 teaspoon Dried Mexican oregano
• 1-2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
• Water or broth to cover

1. Heat oil on medium, add dry pasta and saute until it is starting to brown nicely. Next add the onion, saute a few minutes, then add the cumin and toast until it smells fragrant. Rub the oregano between your palms and add it next followed by the minced garlic and chipotle flakes. Saute a couple of minutes and add the cilantro. Continue to saute until you have a nice soft 'sofrito' about 5-10 minutes on medium-low heat. Add the tomato paste and saute a few more minutes.
2. Now add the water or broth just to cover the noodles, stir in the salt, bring to a boil then turn down the heat a bit, stirring the noodle mixture occasionly until all the liquid has been absorbed and the pasta is fully cooked. Add a bit more liquid if necessary. Taste for salt. Now add the cheese,stir, cover and turn off the heat. It just takes a minute or two to melt the cheese and dinner is ready to be served.
3. One note: if you would like a bit of salsa fresca to put on the cooked pasta, just reserve some of the onion, cilantro and chile to sprinkle on at the table. Also if children or others do not like spicy food reserve the chile to be added after cooking
4. Hope you enjoy this as much as my family always has!

macaroni, cheddarjack cheese, white onion, cilantro, garlic, cumin, oregano, kosher salt, tomato paste, water

Taken from food52.com/recipes/33979-mexi-mac-and-cheese (may not work)