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Spicy Mac and Cheese

Spicy Mac and Cheese

The ultimate comfort food, Spicy Mac and Cheese combines creamy cheese with a zesty kick. This easy weeknight dinner is perfect for sharing and will have everyone coming back for seconds. Make it tonight for a cozy gathering!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 tablespoons Butter
  • 1/2 pound Cream Cheese
  • 2 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup Juice from a Jar of Jalapeños
  • 1/2 pound Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 cup Jarred Sliced Jalapeños
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
  • 1 pound Macaroni prepared according to package directions
  • 2 tablespoons Breadcrumbs

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Chef's Knife
  • Blender
  • Frying Pan
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures that your Spicy Mac and Cheese bakes evenly and gets that lovely golden top.
  2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent it from burning, creating a smooth base for the dish.
  3. Add the cream cheese and mix until blended. You want it to become creamy and combine well with the butter.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and jalapeño juice, then whisk them together. As you whisk, you’ll notice the mixture becoming richer and creamier.
  5. Mix in the cheddar cheese, stirring until it’s completely melted. The cheese should be smooth and fully incorporated into the mixture.
  6. Add the sliced jalapeños, salt, and Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. Continue whisking until everything is well combined.
  7. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray to prevent sticking. This step is crucial for easy serving.
  8. Layer half of the cooked macaroni at the bottom of the pan. Spread it evenly to ensure each bite has a good mix of pasta and cheese.
  9. Cover the macaroni with half of the cheddar mixture. Spread it out so that each piece of macaroni gets some cheesy goodness.
  10. Add the remaining macaroni followed by the remaining cheddar mixture. Top this layer with the rest of the cheese sauce.
  11. Dust the top with breadcrumbs. This will give your Spicy Mac and Cheese a delightful crispy topping.
  12. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

Tip 1: Add some cooked linked sausage and turn this into a main dish.
Tip 2: This macaroni and cheese is great when you use pepper jack cheese.
Tip 3: This dish is really best eaten in one sitting; you can reheat it, but it gets a little dry the second time around.