Pepper Jack Mac

Name: Pepper Jack Mac
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 serving
Ingredients: 1/2 pound large shape pasta, I used Torchio; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter; 2 Tbsp flour; 2 cups whole milk; 1 pound Pepper Jack cheese, shredded; 1-2 jalapenos, thinly sliced, seeds and all; salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste

User Reviews

3.5

858 reviews

Good

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings
6
Calories
514 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Pepper Jack Mac

Julie Valencia

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Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese is a quick and easy dinner that gives everybody's favorite comfort food a little kick!

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Ingredients

Servings

1/2 pound large shape pasta, I used Torchio
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 cups whole milk
1 pound Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
1-2 jalapenos, thinly sliced, seeds and all
salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Set oven to 350F
Set aside 1/2 cup or so of the shredded cheese for topping.
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water just until al dente. I usually cook pasta a good 2 or 3 minutes less than the package says. Drain and set aside.
Melt the butter in a large pan and add the flour. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for a minute or so. Add the milk and stir or whisk until well combined. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and add the cheese, a little at a time, while stirring, until all the cheese has been incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce, along with the sliced jalapeños and mix well. Top with the reserved cheese.
Bake for about 20 minutes until browned and bubbling throughout. You can run it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end to brown it further. Serve right away with a green salad.

Notes

Add a nice buttery crumb crust if you like. Toast fresh made bread crumbs with melted butter, salt, and pepper, and toast them in a skillet until crisp. Scatter across the top of the macaroni before baking.
Add crisp crumbled bacon. Why not?
Make your own high octane pepper jack cheese ~ just grate Monterey Jack and blend it with finely minced jalapeños.

Nutrition Information

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Calories 514kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 18g (90%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 87mg (29%) Sodium 487mg (20%) Potassium 277mg (8%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 855IU (17%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 674mg (67%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 514 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	514kcal	26%
Carbohydrates	35g	12%
Protein	26g	52%
Fat	30g	46%
Saturated Fat	18g	90%
Polyunsaturated Fat	1g	6%
Monounsaturated Fat	8g	40%
Trans Fat	0.2g	10%
Cholesterol	87mg	29%
Sodium	487mg	20%
Potassium	277mg	6%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	5g	10%
Vitamin A	855IU	17%
Vitamin C	3mg	3%
Calcium	674mg	67%
Iron	1mg	6%