4.9 from 84 votes
Secret Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese
Secret Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese combines elbow macaroni with a creamy cheese sauce flavored by sharp cheddar and subtly spiced with cayenne pepper sauce. The sauce is thickened with a roux of butter and flour, seasoned with mustard and onion powders, salt, and white pepper for complexity. Baked briefly for a bubbly top, this dish balances cheesy richness with a hint of heat for a comforting side or main.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
532 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter salted
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 4 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper sauce Frank's RedHot brand
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded sharp
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan.
- Fill a large saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Stir in the macaroni; cook until al dente. Drain well. Pour noodles into prepared 9x13 pan.
- Meanwhile in another large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, mustard powder, and milk; whisk until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for 3-5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Reduce heat to low, and whisk in cheese and hot sauce. Pour cheese sauce over noodles in prepared 9x13 pan and stir to coat.
- Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
532kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
55g
(18%)
Protein
19g
(38%)
Fat
25g
(38%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Cholesterol
72mg
(24%)
Sodium
739mg
(31%)
Potassium
323mg
(7%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
835IU
(17%)
Calcium
359mg
(36%)
Iron
1.4mg
(8%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 532
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 532kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 72mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 739mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 323mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 835IU | 17% |
| Calcium | 359mg | 36% |
| Iron | 1.4mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.