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
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.
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.
- 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!
- Stir it all up to coat everything in the sauce.
- Your mac and cheese is ready! I added a crunchy topping just for fun and texture. The jalapeno slices were my Hubby's request. 🙂
MORE MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES:
Healthy Spinach Dip Mac and Cheese
PEPPER JACK MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE:
Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese Recipe
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
Nutrition
Tiffany says
I love that you kicked it up a notch and used pepper jack! This looks incredibly creamy and delicious! I'm hungry!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Erin!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yes! Thank you, Joanne!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Laura!
Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says
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.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Our youngest daughter hates spaghetti. So there. Kids. lol Thank you, Lily!
Kim Beaulieu says
I love this. Way too much. I wouldn't even need a bowl, I'd just eat it out of the pan.
CrunchyCreamySw says
lol I like your thinking, Kim! Thanks!
Curry and Comfort says
Mac and cheese... YUM!! My kids would inhale that entire skillet, especially with those jalapenos. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Oh wow! Mine gave me weird looks about them. 🙂 Thank you, Ramona!
Cassie says
This is fabulous, Anna! I love spicy!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Cassie!
Lori Lange says
Love this spicy version of Mac!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Lori!
Rachel Cooks says
Love how creamy this is! And I just so happen to have some pepper jack... 🙂
Thanks for helping us kick off our event!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank YOU for putting it all together, Rachel!! Love this event!
cheri says
Love this twist on mac n cheese! great pics!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Cheri!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
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
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Stacy!
Phi says
This looks fantastic!!! I love a little kick with my mac and cheese so i'm definitely going to have to try this!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Phi!
Sarah @ Daisy at Home says
I love using pepperjack in quesadillas and on cheesey bread. I've never thought to throw some into my Mac! Yum!
CrunchyCreamySw says
It's one of our favorite cheeses! I use it all the time. Thanks, Sarah!
Our Pinteresting Family says
Yum! I cannot wait to try this! 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
How did I miss this event? Oh my goodness…cheese! This looks amazing. Squirrel always adds jalapeño slices to his mac. Love this. Pinned!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Jennie!
Katie says
Yes please! That cheese sauce looks unreal!!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Katie!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Mmmm I am totally on this cheese/pepper kick right now so this is RIGHT up my alley. Love!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Stephanie!
Kate@Diethood says
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! I want some!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Well, come on over! 🙂 Thanks, Kate!
Taylor says
Oh I love that you used pepper jack cheese for a little spice! Love a simple mac n' cheese and this looks perfecto!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Taylor!
Becca says
I really need to find Pepper Jack here in the UK, it looks soooo good. Love this recipe!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Becca!
Erin says
Oh my goodness. YES! This is like mac and cheese soup. And that's a very, very good thing. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Right? 🙂 Thanks, Erin!