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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 a 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!!

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:

 

Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese a 500x500 Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

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 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

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 1/4 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
Keyword Pepper Jak mac and cheese
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    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

  5. Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says

    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

  7. Curry and Comfort says

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

    Reply

  10. Rachel Cooks says

    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

  12. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says

    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

  14. Sarah @ Daisy at Home says

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

    Reply

  16. Jennie @themessybakerblog says

    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

  20. Taylor says

    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

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