Macaroni and Cheese Oven Baked Casserole with a Dash of Spicy
Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with this irresistible Macaroni and Cheese Oven Baked Casserole with a Dash of Spicy! Creamy, gooey, and packed with bold flavors, this dish combines three luxurious cheeses—sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan—melded into a velvety sauce enriched with whole milk and heavy cream. A touch of cayenne pepper and smoked paprika adds just the right amount of heat, perfectly balancing the cheesy richness. Topped with golden, crunchy breadcrumbs kissed with olive oil, this oven-baked casserole achieves the ultimate contrast in textures. With just 20 minutes of prep and a tantalizing bake time, it’s the ideal crowd-pleaser for dinner parties, potlucks, or a cozy family meal. Serve it piping hot and let everyone savor the perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and crispy in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cayenne pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly.
Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Reduce the heat to low, then add the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese in small batches, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
Stir in the cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and pour the macaroni and cheese mixture evenly into it.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and olive oil. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated, then sprinkle the mixture over the macaroni.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your spicy macaroni and cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4837 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 321.2 g | 412% | |
| Saturated Fat | 179.2 g | 896% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 872 mg | 291% | |
| Sodium | 6760 mg | 294% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 301.2 g | 110% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.4 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 50.0 g | ||
| Protein | 186.7 g | 373% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.9 mcg | 49% | |
| Calcium | 4257 mg | 327% | |
| Iron | 15.9 mg | 88% | |
| Potassium | 1514 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
