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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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