3.5 from 858 votes
Pepper Jack Mac
Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese is a quick and easy dinner that gives everybody's favorite comfort food a little kick!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 514 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
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
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.
Cup of Yum
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
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
% 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% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.