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Spicy Macaroni and Cheese Casserole Recipe

Spicy Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

A creamy baked macaroni and cheese casserole flavored with jalapeno, diced green chiles, dry mustard, and cayenne, then finished with a golden Parmesan breadcrumb crust. This hearty recipe makes 8 servings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Macaroni and Cheese
  • 1 pound Elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
  • 3 cups Whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup Diced onion
  • 1 Small jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 4-ounce can Diced green chiles, drained
  • 3 cups Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese
Topping
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup Coarse dry breadcrumbs or panko

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the macaroni in well-salted boiling water until just shy of al dente, usually 1–2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain it well.
  3. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and jalapeno, then cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture forms a smooth sauce.
  5. Add the dry mustard, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and drained green chiles. Simmer, whisking frequently, for 4–6 minutes until slightly thickened, without letting the sauce boil vigorously.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the Cheddar and Monterey Jack a handful at a time until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
  7. Combine the cheese sauce with the drained macaroni and transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
  8. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and mix it with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the macaroni.
  9. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling around the edges and golden on top. Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Undercook the macaroni slightly because it continues cooking in the oven. Remove the white sauce from the heat before adding cheese, and shred cheese from a block for the smoothest texture. For more heat, use pepper Jack or add 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce.