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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Dinner / Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

    Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

    Published: Feb 24, 2014 · Modified: Nov 4, 2019 by Anna 40 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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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 in a skillet.

    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!!

    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 for Pepper Jack mac and cheese in skillet.

    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, ¼ 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.

    White sauce with Pepper Jack cheese on top in skillet.

    • 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!

    Side shot of cooked macaroni in white cheesy sauce in cast iron skillet.

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

    Side shot of macaroni in white cheesy sauce in cast iron skillet.

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

    Photo collage of steps how to make 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:

     

    Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese in a skillet.

    Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Author: Anna
    Creamy macaroni with Pepper Jack sauce! Classic dish that everyone loves, with a little kick.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 312 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    for the mac and cheese:

    • 4 oz macaroni pasta uncooked
    • 1.5 tablespoon unsalted or salted butter
    • 1.5 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1.5 c whole milk
    • 1.5 c grated Pepper Jack cheese
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red peppers

    for the crunchy topping:

    • 3 tablespoon salted butter
    • ¼ c breadcrumbs
    • ¾ c crushed tortilla chips
    • slices jalapeno

    Instructions
     

    • Cook macaroni according to the instructions on the package. Drain, let sit covered.
    • In a large skillet (I used 11" cast iron skillet), melt butter.
    • Add flour and whisk it in. Cook for 30 to 40 seconds on medium heat, until the flour absorbs the butter and bubbles up.
    • Gradually add milk, slowly pouring ¼ of a cup at a time, letting the sauce thicken after each addition. Repeat until all milk is added.
    • Add cheese and stir in with a wooden spoon until the cheese is melted.
    • Add macaroni and stir in until all macaroni is coated with creamy cheese sauce.
    • Add salt, pepper and crushed red peppers.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • In a large mixing cup, stir together melted butter, breadcrumbs and crushed tortilla chips. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
    • Place in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges start to bubble.
    • Garnish with jalapeno slices.
    • Let sit 5 minutes.
    • Serve.

    Notes

    Recipe source: CrunchyCreamySweet.com

    Nutrition

    Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tiffany says

      February 27, 2014 at 7:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love that you kicked it up a notch and used pepper jack! This looks incredibly creamy and delicious! I'm hungry!

      Reply
    2. CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 27, 2014 at 12:15 pm

      Thanks, Erin!

      Reply
    3. CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 27, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      Yes! Thank you, Joanne!

      Reply
    4. CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 27, 2014 at 12:12 pm

      Thank you, Laura!

      Reply
    5. Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says

      February 27, 2014 at 6:17 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 27, 2014 at 12:16 pm

        Our youngest daughter hates spaghetti. So there. Kids. lol Thank you, Lily!

        Reply
    6. Kim Beaulieu says

      February 27, 2014 at 12:10 am

      5 stars
      I love this. Way too much. I wouldn't even need a bowl, I'd just eat it out of the pan.

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 27, 2014 at 12:16 pm

        lol I like your thinking, Kim! Thanks!

        Reply
    7. Curry and Comfort says

      February 25, 2014 at 7:00 pm

      5 stars
      Mac and cheese... YUM!! My kids would inhale that entire skillet, especially with those jalapenos. 🙂

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 27, 2014 at 12:14 pm

        Oh wow! Mine gave me weird looks about them. 🙂 Thank you, Ramona!

        Reply
    8. Cassie says

      February 25, 2014 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      This is fabulous, Anna! I love spicy!!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:39 pm

        Thanks, Cassie!

        Reply
    9. Lori Lange says

      February 25, 2014 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      Love this spicy version of Mac!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:39 pm

        Thanks, Lori!

        Reply
    10. Rachel Cooks says

      February 25, 2014 at 9:24 am

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

      Thanks for helping us kick off our event!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:39 pm

        Thank YOU for putting it all together, Rachel!! Love this event!

        Reply
    11. cheri says

      February 24, 2014 at 8:19 pm

      5 stars
      Love this twist on mac n cheese! great pics!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:40 pm

        Thank you, Cheri!

        Reply
    12. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says

      February 24, 2014 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:40 pm

        Thank you, Stacy!

        Reply
    13. Phi says

      February 24, 2014 at 2:07 pm

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

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:40 pm

        Thanks, Phi!

        Reply
    14. Sarah @ Daisy at Home says

      February 24, 2014 at 12:55 pm

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

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:40 pm

        It's one of our favorite cheeses! I use it all the time. Thanks, Sarah!

        Reply
    15. Our Pinteresting Family says

      February 24, 2014 at 12:16 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I cannot wait to try this! 🙂

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    16. Jennie @themessybakerblog says

      February 24, 2014 at 12:01 pm

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

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm

        Thank you, Jennie!

        Reply
    17. Katie says

      February 24, 2014 at 11:39 am

      5 stars
      Yes please! That cheese sauce looks unreal!!!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm

        Thank you, Katie!

        Reply
    18. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

      February 24, 2014 at 10:43 am

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

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm

        Thank you, Stephanie!

        Reply
    19. Kate@Diethood says

      February 24, 2014 at 10:29 am

      5 stars
      LOVE LOVE LOVE!! I want some!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm

        Well, come on over! 🙂 Thanks, Kate!

        Reply
    20. Taylor says

      February 24, 2014 at 8:18 am

      5 stars
      Oh I love that you used pepper jack cheese for a little spice! Love a simple mac n' cheese and this looks perfecto!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm

        Thank you, Taylor!

        Reply
    21. Becca says

      February 24, 2014 at 6:53 am

      5 stars
      I really need to find Pepper Jack here in the UK, it looks soooo good. Love this recipe!

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm

        Thanks, Becca!

        Reply
    22. Erin says

      February 24, 2014 at 5:36 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness. YES! This is like mac and cheese soup. And that's a very, very good thing. 🙂

      Reply
      • CrunchyCreamySw says

        February 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm

        Right? 🙂 Thanks, Erin!

        Reply

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