Spicy Jalapeño Cheesy Mac Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Spicy Jalapeño Cheesy Mac Bake. This delightful dish combines perfectly cooked macaroni with a velvety cheese sauce infused with zesty jalapeños. The creamy blend of cheddar and cream cheese creates a rich and luscious texture, while the jalapeños add a kick that brings this classic favorite to life. Perfect for BBQ gatherings, family dinners, or potlucks, this macaroni and cheese is a crowd-pleaser that caters to a variety of palates. Topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs, it's an irresistible dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Macaroni noodles
1 lb (cooked in advance)
Cream cheese
1/2 lb (melted)
Cheddar cheese
1/2 lb
Heavy cream
2 1/2 cups
Flour
1/3 cup
Butter
8 tablespoons (melted)
Sliced jalapeños
2 cups (from a can or jar)
Jalapeño juice
1/2 cup (from the jar)
Salt
1 teaspoon
Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon
Breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cream cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.
3
Gradually pour in the heavy cream, whisking continuously until well incorporated.
4
Stir in the jalapeño juice and whisk again until combined.
5
Add the cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is silky smooth.
6
Fold in the sliced jalapeños, salt, Cajun seasoning, and flour until everything is well mixed and there are no lumps.
7
Grease a large casserole dish. Layer half of the cooked macaroni evenly across the bottom of the dish.
8
Pour half of the cheese mixture over the macaroni, ensuring it covers the noodles well.
9
Add another layer of the remaining macaroni followed by the rest of the cheese sauce.
10
Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs for that perfect crunchy finish.
11
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
12
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Spicy Jalape0 Cheesy Mac Bake?
It is a comfort food dish that combines macaroni with a velvety cheese sauce made from cheddar and cream cheese, infused with zesty jalape0s and topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
What kind of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of macaroni noodles, which should be cooked in advance before assembling the bake.
How many types of cheese are used in the sauce?
Two types of cheese are used: 1/2 lb of cream cheese and 1/2 lb of cheddar cheese.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 3500F (1750C).
How much heavy cream is needed for the cheese sauce?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of heavy cream.
Do I use fresh or jarred jalape0s?
The recipe specifies using 2 cups of sliced jalape0s from a can or jar, along with some of the juice.
How much jalape0 juice should be added to the sauce?
You should add 1/2 cup of jalape0 juice from the jar into the cheese mixture.
What seasonings are used to flavor the mac and cheese?
The dish is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
How do I start the sauce preparation?
Begin by melting 8 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the cream cheese until smooth.
What is the purpose of adding flour to the cheese mixture?
1/3 cup of flour is folded into the sauce to help thicken the mixture and ensure there are no lumps.
How do I layer the macaroni and cheese in the dish?
Layer half of the cooked macaroni on the bottom, pour half the cheese sauce over it, then repeat with the remaining macaroni and sauce.
What kind of topping gives the bake its crunch?
The top is sprinkled with 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs for a perfect crunchy finish.
How long should the dish be baked while covered?
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
How long do I bake the dish after removing the foil?
After removing the foil, bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Is this recipe suitable for large groups?
Yes, it is a crowd-pleaser perfect for BBQ gatherings, family dinners, or potlucks.
Should the butter be melted before starting the sauce?
Yes, the instructions state to melt the butter in the saucepan over medium heat as the first step.
Can I use this recipe for catering?
Yes, 'catering' is one of the tags associated with this recipe, suggesting it holds up well for service.
What texture should the cheese sauce have?
The cheese sauce should be silky smooth and well-incorporated before being poured over the noodles.
Is the Cajun seasoning spicy?
Cajun seasoning generally provides a mild to moderate heat and earthy flavor that complements the jalape0s.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 11 ingredients used in this recipe.
Do I need to grease the casserole dish?
Yes, you should grease a large casserole dish before adding the macaroni layers.
Can I prepare the macaroni noodles ahead of time?
Yes, the ingredients list specifies that the macaroni should be cooked in advance.
What is the total estimated baking time?
The total baking time ranges from 50 to 60 minutes.
Is this a creamy or a dry mac and cheese?
It is a very creamy dish, described as having a rich and luscious texture due to the cream cheese and heavy cream.
What should I look for to know the dish is done?
The top should be beautifully golden brown and the cheese sauce should be bubbly.
Can I skip the jalape0 juice?
The jalape0 juice is key for infusing the sauce with flavor, though you could reduce it if you prefer less tang and heat.
What kind of dish should I use for baking?
A large casserole dish is recommended to accommodate the macaroni and sauce layers.
How do I ensure the heavy cream incorporates well?
Gradually pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously to ensure it blends smoothly with the butter and cream cheese.
Are the jalape0s mixed in or just put on top?
The sliced jalape0s are folded into the cheese sauce so they are distributed throughout the entire dish.
Does this recipe contain any sugar?
According to the ingredient list provided, there is no added sugar in this recipe.