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An easy, mildly spicy mac and cheese, with a great crunchy-buttery breadcrumb topping.
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Spicy Mac and Cheese

An easy, mildly spicy mac and cheese, with a great crunchy-buttery breadcrumb topping.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 804kcal
Author Ann Otis

Ingredients

  • 4 cups macaroni, or other pasta shapes
  • 1/2 cups onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cups red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
  • 6 1/2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 1/2 cups milk whole or 2%
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lb cheese, grated one kind, or a mix of cheddar, colby, monterey jack, or whatever you have on-hand
  • 1 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cook the pasta in a large pot, according to the package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
  • While the pasta is cooking, in a small pan, melt 1 teaspoon of butter over medium heat. Add onions and peppers and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, until vegetables are tender but not browned. Remove from heat.
  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, quickly whisk in the flour, and cook the roux, stirring constantly, until it turns a pale golden brown.
  • Add the milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly so that lumps don't form. Once the mixture is smooth, bring to a simmer, whisking frequently. The mixture will begin to thicken as it starts to bubble.
  • Add the cheese and continue to whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
  • Pour the sauce into the pot with the pasta, add the vegetables, and stir until well combined. Butter a 2-quart glass baking dish, and pour the pasta mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl and toss in the bread crumbs. Mix well and sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the pasta. Sprinkle a little cayenne pepper over the breadcrumbs if you like, and bake uncovered in the preheated oven for around 25 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Recipe slightly adapted from Everyday Annie's Spicy Mac and Cheese

Nutrition

Calories: 804kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 1087mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1745IU | Vitamin C: 20.2mg | Calcium: 700mg | Iron: 2.2mg