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Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

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Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese – creamy macaroni with Pepper Jack sauce! Classic dish that everyone loves, with a little kick.

Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

PEPPER JACK MAC AND CHEESE

When you think classic comfort food, mac and cheese is most likely to be on top of the list. I make my Instant Pot Mac and Cheese almost every week. Make it homemade, with a creamy cheese sauce and a little bit of kick from the Pepper Jack cheese and jalapenos and sprinkle with a crunchy topping – you just took the mac and cheese to a whole new level. Another favorite is my Queso Mac and Cheese with Bacon. So good!!

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It all starts with a white sauce base that every home cook needs to know how to make. Once you master this sauce – you will be using it in many dishes. It’s super easy but there is a secret to it.

White Sauce Base Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

HOW TO MAKE PEPPER JACK MAC AND CHEESE?

It’s good to have all the ingredients ready and close to the stove.

  • Melt the butter in the skillet, then add the flour. It will quickly absorb the butter and start to bubble. Cook it for 30 to 40 seconds.
  • Next (and this is the secret) you add the milk, 1/4 of a cup at a time, SLOWLY drizzling it into the flour mixture. Whisk until the mixture thickens. Repeat until you use all the milk.
  • Now it’s time to add the cheese and stir it all up until the cheese melts into the milk mixture. Season to taste.

Cheese Sauce Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

  • You just made a creamy cheese sauce! At this point you can add anything you would like in your mac and cheese. Veggies, meat – anything goes!

Mac and Cheese Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

  • Stir it all up to coat everything in the sauce.

Creamy Mac Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

  • Your mac and cheese is ready! I added a crunchy topping just for fun and texture. The jalapeno slices were my Hubby’s request. 🙂

Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese 1 Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

MORE MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES:

Queso Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Healthy Spinach Dip Mac and Cheese

PEPPER JACK MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE:

 

5 from 3 votes
Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese 150x150 Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese
Print
Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese Recipe
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Creamy macaroni with Pepper Jack sauce! Classic dish that everyone loves, with a little kick.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pepper Jak mac and cheese
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 312 kcal
Author: Anna
Ingredients
for the mac and cheese:
  • 4 oz macaroni pasta uncooked
  • 1.5 Tbsp unsalted or salted butter
  • 1.5 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 c whole milk
  • 1.5 c grated Pepper Jack cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers
for the crunchy topping:
  • 3 Tbsp salted butter
  • 1/4 c breadcrumbs
  • 3/4 c crushed tortilla chips
  • slices jalapeno
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Cook macaroni according to the instructions on the package. Drain, let sit covered.
  2. In a large skillet (I used 11" cast iron skillet), melt butter.
  3. Add flour and whisk it in. Cook for 30 to 40 seconds on medium heat, until the flour absorbs the butter and bubbles up.
  4. Gradually add milk, slowly pouring 1/4 of a cup at a time, letting the sauce thicken after each addition. Repeat until all milk is added.
  5. Add cheese and stir in with a wooden spoon until the cheese is melted.
  6. Add macaroni and stir in until all macaroni is coated with creamy cheese sauce.
  7. Add salt, pepper and crushed red peppers.
  8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  9. In a large mixing cup, stir together melted butter, breadcrumbs and crushed tortilla chips. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
  10. Place in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges start to bubble.
  11. Garnish with jalapeno slices.
  12. Let sit 5 minutes.
  13. Serve.
Recipe Notes

Recipe source: CrunchyCreamySweet.com

Nutrition Facts
Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 312 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 43mg 14%
Sodium 167mg 7%
Potassium 197mg 6%
Total Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 5g
Protein 7g 14%
Vitamin A 10.9%
Calcium 12.4%
Iron 4.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says

    February 27, 2014 at 6:17 am

    Ah, those photos are so hunger-inducing! I only know one person who doesn’t like mac n cheese and that’s my kid. Very odd child! Doesn’t stop me making it regularly though! I like it with a bit of a kick and usually douse mine in tabasco sauce so this recipe is right up my alley.

  10. Rachel Cooks says

    February 25, 2014 at 9:24 am

    Love how creamy this is! And I just so happen to have some pepper jack… 🙂

    Thanks for helping us kick off our event!

  12. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says

    February 24, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Oh, goodness! I’m totally loving this Mac and Cheese recipe of yours, Anna! Love, love, love me some mac and cheese. How does one get involved in these fabulous food blogging events? How fun! Thanks for sharing and have a great week! xo

  13. Phi says

    February 24, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    This looks fantastic!!! I love a little kick with my mac and cheese so i’m definitely going to have to try this!

  14. Sarah @ Daisy at Home says

    February 24, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    I love using pepperjack in quesadillas and on cheesey bread. I’ve never thought to throw some into my Mac! Yum!

  16. Jennie @themessybakerblog says

    February 24, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    How did I miss this event? Oh my goodness…cheese! This looks amazing. Squirrel always adds jalapeño slices to his mac. Love this. Pinned!

  18. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    February 24, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Mmmm I am totally on this cheese/pepper kick right now so this is RIGHT up my alley. Love!

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