Spicy Macaroni Cheese
Turn up the heat on traditional comfort food with this irresistible Spicy Macaroni Cheese recipe! Featuring creamy cheddar, gooey mozzarella, and tangy cream cheese, this dish gets a fiery twist from finely chopped jalapeños, red chili flakes, and smoky paprika. Every bite delivers bold flavor and perfectly al dente elbow macaroni coated in a luscious, spiced cheese sauce. Topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs for the ultimate texture contrast, this bake is the ideal crowd-pleaser for spice lovers. With just 15 minutes of prep and easy-to-follow steps, it's a fuss-free way to elevate a classic. Perfect for weeknight dinners or indulgent gatherings, this spicy mac and cheese will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 g elbow macaroni
- 50 g unsalted butter
- 30 g all-purpose flour
- 500 ml whole milk
- 200 g cheddar cheese, shredded
- 100 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 50 g cream cheese
- 2 pieces jalapeños, finely chopped
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 50 g breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a baking dish with a light coating of olive oil.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until you have a smooth paste (roux).
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly (about 4-5 minutes).
Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Mix until the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the chopped jalapeños, red chili flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine.
Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring the pasta is fully coated.
Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of smoked paprika. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the macaroni cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Spicy Macaroni Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3579 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 185.3 g | 238% | |
| Saturated Fat | 102.9 g | 514% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 516 mg | 172% | |
| Sodium | 5444 mg | 237% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 335.5 g | 122% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.7 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.3 g | ||
| Protein | 145.8 g | 292% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.7 mcg | 34% | |
| Calcium | 2883 mg | 222% | |
| Iron | 17.9 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 1339 mg | 28% | |
*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.
