Speedy Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese Recipe – So Creamy!

Creamy, zesty pepper jack stovetop macaroni & cheese brings unexpected excitement to your dinner table.

Comfort food just got a serious flavor upgrade with this simple skillet sensation.

Sharp cheese blends create a mouthwatering sauce that melts perfectly over tender pasta.

A quick one-pot meal that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

Spicy undertones from pepper jack give classic mac and cheese a delightful kick.

Weeknight cooking becomes something special when you can whip up this crowd-pleasing dish in less than 30 minutes.

You’ll want to grab a spoon and dig into this irresistible cheesy creation right away.

Why Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese Packs A Punch

• Spice Up Your Comfort Food: Pepper Jack cheese brings a zesty, bold kick to traditional mac and cheese, transforming this classic dish into a flavor-packed meal that tingles your taste buds.
• Quick and Creamy Stovetop Magic: Whip up this ultra-smooth, cheesy delight in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or sudden comfort food cravings.
• Customize Your Cheesy Adventure: Easily adjust heat levels by playing with spices like smoked paprika or red pepper flakes, allowing everyone to create their perfect version of this crowd-pleasing pasta.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this simple stovetop method that uses a single pot for cooking pasta and creating a luxuriously creamy cheese sauce, saving time and effort for home cooks.

All Ingredients For Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that holds cheese sauce perfectly, works well with creamy textures.

• Pepper Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and spicy cheese blend that provides bold flavor and smooth melting quality, choose full-fat versions for best results.

• Butter, Milk, Heavy Cream: Creates rich and creamy sauce base, whole milk recommended for fuller texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create smooth roux and thickens cheese sauce, ensures consistent sauce texture.

• Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Adds depth and complexity to cheese sauce, enhances overall flavor profile.

• Fresh Parsley, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Provides fresh herbal note and optional extra heat, adds visual appeal to final dish.

Quick Steps To Make Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfection

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in some salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Drop in your pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender but still has a little bite. Drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside, ready for its cheesy transformation.

Step 2: Craft A Creamy Roux Base

Return the same pot to the stove over medium heat. Melt butter until it’s golden and bubbling. Sprinkle in flour and whisk like crazy for about 1-2 minutes. This magical mixture will be the foundation of your ultra-creamy sauce. Slowly pour in milk, stirring constantly to create a smooth, velvety texture. Let the sauce simmer and thicken until it coats the back of a spoon.

Step 3: Cheese Explosion

• Pepper Jack cheese
• Cheddar cheese

• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Taste and adjust the seasonings to make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Unite Pasta And Cheese

Toss the cooked pasta into the cheesy sauce. Stir gently, making sure every single pasta piece gets a luxurious cheese coating. The result should be a creamy, dreamy mac and cheese that’s irresistible.

Step 5: Serve With Flair

Scoop the mac and cheese into warm bowls. For an extra kick, sprinkle some chopped parsley or red pepper flakes on top. Serve immediately while it’s hot and gloriously gooey.

Tips That Make Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese Creamier

• Customize Heat Levels: Swap Pepper Jack with mild cheddar for less spiciness or add extra red pepper flakes for more kick.
• Perfect Roux Technique: Whisk flour and butter constantly to prevent burning and create a smooth, lump-free base for your cheese sauce.
• Creamy Texture Trick: Use a combination of milk and heavy cream for an ultra-rich, velvety mac and cheese that stays creamy even after cooling.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and ensure a silky, uniform sauce.
• Storage Smart Move: Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore original creamy consistency.

How To Store And Reheat Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese

• Refrigerate: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
• Microwave Option: Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add small amount of milk, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between each interval to distribute heat evenly.
• Freezing Tips: Can be frozen for up to 2 months in freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to maintain best quality and flavor.

What To Serve With Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese

• Spice Up Your Sips: Pair this zesty Pepper Jack mac and cheese with a crisp, hoppy India Pale Ale (IPA) that complements the cheese's spicy kick and cuts through its richness.
• Cool Down the Heat: Balance the dish's spiciness with a refreshing white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, whose bright acidity and herbal notes will neutralize the pepper's intensity.
• Crunch Companion: Add a side of tangy, crunchy dill pickles or a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh contrast to the creamy, spicy pasta.
• Smooth Sidekick: Try a chilled pilsner beer, which offers a clean, light flavor that won't overpower the mac and cheese while helping to cool down the pepper's heat.

Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese Variations To Try

• Spicy Southwest Splash: Enhance the pepper jack mac and cheese by stirring in diced green chiles, crumbled chorizo, and a dash of cumin for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Smoky Bacon Boost: Crisp up bacon pieces and mix them into the mac and cheese, then top with extra bacon crumbles and a sprinkle of green onions for added crunch and depth.
• Roasted Vegetable Remix: Fold in roasted bell peppers, jalapeños, and corn kernels to increase nutrition and create a colorful, vibrant version of the classic recipe.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked ground turkey to transform the mac and cheese into a heartier, protein-packed meal that satisfies hunger quickly.

Your FAQs On Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese

• Why use Pepper Jack cheese in mac and cheese?

Pepper Jack adds a spicy kick and creamy texture that makes this mac and cheese more exciting than traditional versions. The cheese brings a zesty flavor that elevates the entire dish.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! You can substitute Pepper Jack with mild cheddar or reduce the amount of Pepper Jack cheese. If you want some heat without overwhelming spiciness, use half Pepper Jack and half mild cheddar.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

This mac and cheese is best enjoyed fresh, as the sauce can thicken when cooled. If you want to prep ahead, keep the pasta and sauce separate and combine just before serving to maintain the creamy consistency.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add some protein like cooked chicken or crispy bacon, or mix in vegetables like roasted broccoli or spinach to boost the nutritional value of the mac and cheese.

Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comfort meets excitement in this pepper jack stovetop macaroni & cheese, where creamy, spicy goodness dances across your palate. Cheesy, quick, and irresistibly bold, you’ll fall in love with this zesty twist on a classic comfort dish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pepper Jack Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese

Main Cheese Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes:

• Chopped parsley
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Fill a spacious cooking vessel with generously salted water and bring to a vigorous boil. Submerge pasta and cook until achieving a tender yet firm texture, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully strain the pasta, reserving it in a separate container.
2. Return the identical cooking pot to medium-level heat. Gently melt butter until it transforms into a silky liquid. Vigorously incorporate flour, continuously whisking to craft a smooth, golden roux. Pour milk incrementally while maintaining constant stirring motion, allowing the mixture to thicken and develop a luxurious consistency.
3. Reduce thermal intensity to minimal setting. Incorporate shredded Pepper Jack and cheddar cheeses, stirring until they completely dissolve into a creamy, uniform sauce. Introduce garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and ground black pepper, blending thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
4. Reunite cooked pasta with the velvety cheese sauce, gently folding to ensure every pasta strand becomes lavishly coated. Use a smooth, sweeping motion to prevent pasta from breaking or becoming compacted.
5. Transfer the molten macaroni and cheese into serving dishes immediately. Optional: Embellish with finely chopped parsley or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes for an additional flavor dimension and visual appeal.

Notes

• Experiment with different pasta shapes like shells or cavatappi to trap more cheesy goodness and create exciting texture variations.
• Adjust spiciness by selecting mild or extra-sharp Pepper Jack cheese depending on personal heat tolerance and preference.
• Use whole milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version without compromising creamy richness.
• Enhance nutritional value by stirring in roasted vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower during the final mixing stage for added color and nutrients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg