Flamin' Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese
Description
This dish starts by pulverizing half of the Flamin' Hot Cheetos into fine crumbs which are steeped in whole milk, allowing those spicy flavors to infuse the dairy. Elbow macaroni is cooked just shy of al dente for a firm bite and then folded into a rich roux-based cheese sauce made of butter, flour, salt, cayenne pepper, and a blend of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and sliced American cheese. The cheese melts smoothly into the thickened milk mixture, creating a velvety sauce surrounding the pasta.
After mixing the pasta and cheese sauce, the blend is transferred to a baking dish and baked to meld the flavors and firm up the casserole. Meanwhile, the remaining Cheetos are crushed and toasted in butter, intensifying their spicy red color and crispiness, then scattered on top to provide a crunchy, flavorful crust.
This combination of spicy, creamy, and crunchy elements creates a mac and cheese variation with notable heat and visual appeal popular as a comfort-food indulgence.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Flamin’ Hot Cheetos , divided
- 5 cups milk whole
- 1 pound elbow macaroni large
- 1/2 cup butter divided, unsalted
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese , freshly shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese , freshly shredded
- 8 ounces American cheese , slices
Instructions
- Add 3 cups of Flamin' Hot Cheetos to your food processor and pulverize into crumbs.
- Add to milk and let sit while pasta water comes to a boil and cooks (about 20 minutes).
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook pasta 2 minutes shy of the directions on the box and drain (do not rinse).
- Add 4 tablespoons of the butter to a large pot on medium heat and melt.
- Whisk in the flour, salt and cayenne pepper and cook for 30 seconds.
- Slowly whisk in the steeped milk and bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes until the milk has thickened, then add in the mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and American cheese.
- Whisk well until the cheese is melted then fold in the cooked pasta.
- Pour mixture into 13x9 baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
- While the pasta is baking, lightly crush the remaining Cheetos and add to a large frying pan with the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter on medium heat.
- Stir, cooking for 1 minute until sizzling and the red color is intensified.
- When pasta comes out of the oven top with buttery Cheetos and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 534 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 534kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 63mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 746mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 733mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 723IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 422mg | 42% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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