Description
Pepper jack cheesy pasta delight brings creamy, spicy magic to dinner tables everywhere. Melted cheese, zesty peppers, and perfectly cooked pasta create a mouthwatering experience you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ pound (226 grams) elbow noodles or similar short pasta
- 1 ½ cups (170 grams) shredded pepper jack cheese
- ½ cup (57 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Dairy and Liquid Components:
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) milk (2% recommended)
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter
Seasonings and Thickeners:
- 3 tablespoons (23 grams) all-purpose flour
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Fill a spacious cooking vessel with generously salted water and bring to a vigorous boil. Immerse elbow noodles and cook until they reach a perfectly tender yet firm consistency, approximately 8-9 minutes.
- Drain pasta thoroughly, transferring noodles to a separate dish while preparing the velvety sauce base.
- In the same cooking pot, gently melt butter over medium-high temperature until it transforms into a frothy, golden liquid.
- Sift flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth, pale roux. Cook the mixture until it develops a rich, golden undertone and releases a subtle nutty fragrance.
- Slowly stream milk into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and achieves a luxurious, silky texture.
- Enhance the sauce with a delicate balance of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of fiery red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat.
- Remove pot from heat and introduce pepper jack and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until they melt completely and create a smooth, glossy cheese sauce.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the molten cheese mixture, ensuring each noodle is generously coated with the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Serve immediately, allowing the vibrant flavors and creamy texture to tantalize the taste buds.
Notes
- Cheese Melting Tip: Grate the pepper jack and mozzarella cheese freshly for smoother, faster melting and more even coating of the pasta.
- Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat preference, adding gradually to achieve desired spiciness without overwhelming the dish.
- Consistency Trick: Whisk continuously while adding milk and cheese to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, creamy sauce texture.
- Pasta Doneness Check: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing mushiness when mixed with the hot cheese sauce.
- Pan Selection Matters: Use a heavy-bottomed pot to distribute heat evenly and prevent sauce from burning or sticking during preparation.
- Quick Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after combining pasta and sauce to enjoy the optimal creamy, melted cheese experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg