Description
Creamy spicy mac and cheese delivers a fiery twist on classic comfort food. Robust cheddar, jalapeños, and a crispy breadcrumb topping create a bold, memorable dish that satisfies hungry diners who crave intense flavor combinations.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound (454 grams) elbow macaroni
Cheese:
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded pepper jack cheese
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Create a golden roux by melting butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, then gradually whisk in flour until the mixture turns light golden and becomes fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually stream milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a silky smooth base, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Reduce heat to low and incorporate cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, stirring until completely melted and integrated into a creamy consistency.
- Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt, ensuring even distribution of spices for a balanced flavor profile.
- Add hot sauce to amplify the spicy notes, adjusting quantity based on desired heat level.
- Fold cooked macaroni into the spicy cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is thoroughly coated with the vibrant, creamy mixture.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately while hot, allowing the rich, zesty cheese sauce to showcase its full flavor potential.
Notes
- Choose pasta with ridges or curves to help sauce cling better, creating a more flavorful bite.
- Control spice levels by adjusting cayenne and hot sauce quantities to match personal heat tolerance.
- Grate cheese fresh from block for smoother melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded options.
- Consider adding crispy breadcrumbs or bacon bits on top for extra texture and complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg