Spicy Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
Spicy Mac and Cheese
Description
This recipe starts with melting butter in a pan then blending in cream cheese until smooth. Heavy cream mixed with jalapeño juice adds heat and thins the sauce. Sharp cheddar cheese is incorporated until melted, followed by sliced jarred jalapeños, salt, and Creole seasoning, which contributes savory depth. The sauce is thick, creamy, and spicy, complementing the cooked macaroni layered inside a baking dish.
The macaroni and cheese layers alternate with the sauce and are topped with breadcrumbs to provide a textural contrast after baking. The casserole is baked to heat through and develop a crunchy breadcrumb crust. The jalapeño components give a bold, spicy flavor while maintaining creamy smoothness.
For versatility, cooked sausage can be added to turn this into a main dish, and pepper jack cheese can substitute the cheddar for an additional kick. Although best consumed fresh, leftovers may be reheated cautiously due to drying potential.
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 pound cream cheese
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup jalapeño juice from a jar
- 1/2 pound cheddar cheese
- 1 cup jalapeño jarred, sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
- 1 pound macaroni prepared according to package directions
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Add the cream cheese and mix until blended.
- Add the heavy cream and jalapeño juice and whisk.
- Mix in the cheddar, stirring until the cheese is completely melted.
- Mix in the sliced jalapeños, salt, and Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning and continue whisking until all ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
- Layer the bottom of the pan with half of the cooked macaroni. Cover the macaroni with half of the cheddar mixture.
- Add the remaining macaroni followed by the remaining cheddar mixture.
- Dust the top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Adding cooked sausage transforms this into a hearty main dish.
- Pepper jack cheese can substitute cheddar for extra heat.
- Reheating may dry out leftovers, so it's best eaten fresh.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 548 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 548kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 24g | 120% |
| Cholesterol | 128mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 1093mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 227mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1910IU | 38% |
| Vitamin C | 3.1mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 207mg | 21% |
| Iron | 1.5mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
