Pimento Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Pimento Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 10 ounces cavatappi pasta; 2 Tbsp butter; 2 Tbsp flour; 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup cream; 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup finely chopped pimentos; 1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs; 2 Tbsp butter

User Reviews

5.0

54 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings
6 servings
Calories
552 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Pimento Macaroni and Cheese

Julie Valencia

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Pimento Macaroni and Cheese is an easy skillet mac with the flavors of pimento cheese. If you're a pimento cheese lover, it'll be your new favorite dinner!

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Ingredients

Servings

10 ounces cavatappi pasta or elbow mac, or rotini
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup cream
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (yellow or white), shredded
1/2 cup finely chopped pimentos (I used a 5 ounce jar of whole pimentos)

Crumb topping

1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp butter melted

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly butter a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a medium heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, paprika, and salt. Cook for a couple of minutes over medium heat, whisking constantly.
While whisking, add the milk and cream slowly to avoid lumps. Whisk or stir with a silicone spoonula until all the milk and cream are incorporated. Keep cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture ALMOST comes to a boil, and thickens. Do not let it boil.
Remove the pan from the heat (this is important) and let it cool for a minute or two.
Add the shredded cheese to the pot, stirring until the cheese has completely melted. This may take a few minutes. If necessary you can put the pot back on the stove to gently heat until the cheese melts.
Stir in the pimentos and cooked pasta and turn into your buttered skillet.
Mix the cracker crumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly saturated.
Top with the crumb mixture, and bake for about 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1serving Calories 552kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 47g (16%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 19g (95%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 90mg (30%) Sodium 587mg (24%) Potassium 328mg (9%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 1706IU (34%) Vitamin C 17mg (19%) Calcium 403mg (40%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 552 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1serving
Calories	552kcal	28%
Carbohydrates	47g	16%
Protein	19g	38%
Fat	32g	49%
Saturated Fat	19g	95%
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g	12%
Monounsaturated Fat	8g	40%
Trans Fat	0.4g	20%
Cholesterol	90mg	30%
Sodium	587mg	24%
Potassium	328mg	7%
Fiber	2g	8%
Sugar	7g	14%
Vitamin A	1706IU	34%
Vitamin C	17mg	19%
Calcium	403mg	40%
Iron	1mg	6%