Description
Creamy pepper jack stovetop macaroni & cheese delivers comfort with a spicy kick. Sharp cheese and crisp breadcrumbs create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside in a separate bowl.
- Sauce Foundation: In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a golden roux, then gradually stream in milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth and glossy.
- Cheese Infusion: Lower heat to minimum. Blend Pepper Jack and cheddar cheeses into the sauce, stirring until completely melted. Incorporate garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
- Final Integration: Gently fold cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, using sweeping motions to coat each pasta piece thoroughly without breaking or compressing the noodles.
- Serving Presentation: Immediately transfer the creamy macaroni and cheese to serving dishes. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added zest and visual interest.
Notes
- Prevent Cheese Clumping: Grate cheese at room temperature and add gradually while stirring continuously to ensure smooth, lump-free sauce.
- Control Heat Carefully: Maintain low heat when melting cheese to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy, which destroys the creamy texture.
- Season Strategically: Use Pepper Jack cheese sparingly if cooking for sensitive palates; balance heat with mild cheddar for a more approachable flavor profile.
- Pasta Texture Matters: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with cheese sauce, ensuring perfect bite and texture in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg