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Spicy Mac and Cheese with Pepper Jack and Breadcrumb Topping

mac and cheese

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Pepper Jack and Breadcrumb Topping

A creamy, spicy baked mac and cheese topped with pepper jack cheese and crispy panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch.

Prep

20 min

Cook

40 min

Total

60 min

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Ingredients

Serves26

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Pepper Jack and Breadcrumb Topping

  • 13 tbsp Butter (for sauce)
  • 10.8333 tbsp Flour (to thicken sauce)
  • 6.5 cup Whole Milk
  • 30.3333 oz Sharp white cheddar cheese (grated, for sauce)
  • 17.3333 oz Pepper jack cheese (grated, for sauce)
  • 1.0833 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 2.1667 tsp Chili Powder
  • 2.1667 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 6.5 tsp Salt (to taste)
  • 2.1667 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
  • 34.6667 oz Macaroni pasta (cooked al dente)
  • 4.3333 oz Additional sharp white cheddar cheese (grated, for topping)
  • 4.3333 oz Additional pepper jack cheese (grated, for topping)
  • 2.1667 cup Panko breadcrumbs (for crispy topping)
  • 2.1667 tsp Paprika (for topping color)
Servings: 26−+
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Cooking Instructions

  1. 1

    Gather Ingredients and Prepare Equipment

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish and set aside. Gather all ingredients and utensils, including a medium saucepan, whisk, and a large mixing bowl.
  2. 2

    Make the Sauce

    In the saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add flour, whisking until smooth, and cook for about 2 minutes until the mixture bubbles. This removes the raw flour taste.
  3. 3

    Add Milk

    Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring a smooth consistency. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
  4. 4

    Incorporate Cheese and Spices

    Remove from heat and add grated cheddar, pepper jack, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  5. 5

    Cook Pasta

    Meanwhile, boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain well, as it will cook further in the oven.
  6. 6

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
  7. 7

    Assemble the Dish

    Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle additional cheddar and pepper jack cheeses on top, followed by the panko breadcrumbs. Dust with paprika for added color.
  8. 8

    Bake

    Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.

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Spicy Mac and Cheese with Pepper Jack and Breadcrumb Topping

Prep: 20 min · Cook: 40 min · Total: 60 min · Servings: 26

Ingredients

Spicy Mac and Cheese with Pepper Jack and Breadcrumb Topping

  • 13 tbsp Butter (for sauce)
  • 10.8333 tbsp Flour (to thicken sauce)
  • 6.5 cup Whole Milk
  • 30.3333 oz Sharp white cheddar cheese (grated, for sauce)
  • 17.3333 oz Pepper jack cheese (grated, for sauce)
  • 1.0833 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 2.1667 tsp Chili Powder
  • 2.1667 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 6.5 tsp Salt (to taste)
  • 2.1667 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
  • 34.6667 oz Macaroni pasta (cooked al dente)
  • 4.3333 oz Additional sharp white cheddar cheese (grated, for topping)
  • 4.3333 oz Additional pepper jack cheese (grated, for topping)
  • 2.1667 cup Panko breadcrumbs (for crispy topping)
  • 2.1667 tsp Paprika (for topping color)

Instructions

  1. Gather Ingredients and Prepare Equipment — Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish and set aside. Gather all ingredients and utensils, including a medium saucepan, whisk, and a large mixing bowl.
  2. Make the Sauce — In the saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add flour, whisking until smooth, and cook for about 2 minutes until the mixture bubbles. This removes the raw flour taste.
  3. Add Milk — Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring a smooth consistency. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
  4. Incorporate Cheese and Spices — Remove from heat and add grated cheddar, pepper jack, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Cook Pasta — Meanwhile, boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain well, as it will cook further in the oven.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce — In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
  7. Assemble the Dish — Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle additional cheddar and pepper jack cheeses on top, followed by the panko breadcrumbs. Dust with paprika for added color.
  8. Bake — Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.