Savor The Spice: Pepper Jack Macaroni & Cheese (Print version)
Creamy baked pepper jack macaroni and cheese with tender pasta, gentle heat, and a crisp buttery jalapeño breadcrumb topping.
# Ingredients:
For the macaroni
01 -
12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni or cavatappi
02 -
1 tablespoon kosher salt, for the pasta water
03 -
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for coating the pasta
For the pepper jack sauce
04 -
3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
05 -
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 -
2 1/2 cups (600 ml) whole milk, warmed if possible
07 -
4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, cut into cubes
08 -
8 oz (225 g) pepper jack cheese, freshly shredded
09 -
4 oz (115 g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
10 -
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
11 -
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 -
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 -
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
14 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the topping
15 -
3/4 cup (45 g) panko breadcrumbs
16 -
2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
17 -
2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños, patted dry
18 -
1/2 cup (55 g) shredded pepper jack cheese
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat the oven to 375°F. Boil the pasta in well-salted water until 1 minute shy of al dente. Drain, toss with 1 tablespoon butter, and set aside.
02 -
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the paste smells lightly toasted.
03 -
Slowly whisk in the milk, a splash at a time at first. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, whisking often, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
04 -
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cream cheese until smooth, then add the pepper jack and cheddar by handfuls. Season with mustard powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
05 -
Fold the drained pasta into the cheese sauce until every piece is coated. Taste and adjust salt if needed, then spread the mixture into a lightly buttered 9x13-inch baking dish.
06 -
Stir panko, melted butter, chopped jalapeños, and the extra pepper jack together. Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake for 15-18 minutes, until bubbly at the edges. Broil for 1-2 minutes for a darker top if desired.
# Good to know:
01 -
For the creamiest texture, serve within 10 minutes of baking.
02 -
For a milder dish, replace half of the pepper jack with Monterey Jack.
03 -
Nutrition is an estimate per serving.