This spicy mac and cheese is a clever way to zhuzh things up when you’re craving comfort food with extra heat. In our recipe, we combine al dente pasta, crispy bacon and chopped jalapenos in a spicy, creamy, pepper jack-infused bechamel sauce. It gets better, too, thanks to the crushed kettle chip topping.
If you’re a fan of all things spicy, we can safely say this is one of the best mac and cheese recipes out there. It’s destined to be an instant classic at barbecues and potlucks, but I’d just as soon tuck into a bowl for a casual dinner.
Spicy Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- Pasta: Short pasta like macaroni, cavatappi, penne or fusilli are the best choices for making mac and cheese.
- Bechamel sauce: Butter, flour, heavy cream and milk are the building blocks of bechamel. Fat is the secret to making a perfect roux, so while it’s fine to use skim milk for the bechamel, the best butter for roux is high-butterfat European-style options like Kerrygold.
- Cajun seasonings: Use store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning to bring some heat to spicy mac and cheese.
- Pepper jack: This cheese has ample heat thanks to pieces of jalapeno, serrano and added spices.
- Bacon: Crispy pieces of bacon add texture and, more importantly, salty pops of flavor in each bite. Head to the butcher’s section of the supermarket for thick-cut bacon. Trust me, it’s worth it.
- Jalapeno: For extra heat, don’t deseed the jalapeno. For a hint of heat without going overboard, try pickled jalapenos. They’re milder with a delicious tangy flavor.
- Potato chips: Kettle-cooked potato chips give spicy mac and cheese a crunchy topping and textural contrast. Pick up a bag of regular sea salt chips or mix things up with other flavors. My top contenders: barbecue and jalapeno.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Prepare the pasta according to al dente instructions on the package. Drain. Preheat the broiler.
Step 2: Make the bechamel sauce
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to form a paste, then cook until lightly browned, about 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk and cream. Add the Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until thickened.
Editor’s Tip: Pour the milk and cream in slowly. This way, you’ll be able to bust up any clumps of roux and ensure your bechamel sauce turns out silky smooth.
Step 3: Stir together the remaining ingredients
Stir the cheese into the bechamel until it’s melted. Add the pasta, bacon and jalapenos to the sauce. Stir well and cook until warmed through.
Top with crushed potato chips.
Step 4: Broil
Place the skillet 3 to 4 inches from the broiler. Broil the mac and cheese until the chips brown, about 30 seconds. Keep an eye on the dish!
Spicy Mac and Cheese Variations
- Add meat: Double up on protein by adding cooked chicken, turkey, pulled pork or shredded beef to your spicy mac.
- Turn up the heat: The easiest way for chili fanatics to spice up this recipe? Add more jalapenos or Cajun seasoning. You can also splash hot sauce into the bechamel sauce. Hotter peppers are another option: Serranos are the next step up, while Thai chiles or habaneros will make your mac seriously spicy.
- Change up the topping: Cornflakes, crushed saltine crackers, chicharrones, panko or seasoned bread crumbs can all be used as toppings to bring texture to this spicy mac and cheese.
- Mix in mustard: Dijon mustard adds a bold spiced flavor that complements the pepper jack. Mix a teaspoon of it into the bechamel before adding the cheese.
How to Store Spicy Mac and Cheese
Our preferred way to stow leftover mac and cheese is to let it cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. Spicy mac and cheese will last three to five days.
Can you make spicy mac and cheese ahead of time?
Spicy mac and cheese is a stellar make-ahead recipe that you can prep two to three days in advance. You’ve got options here: cook, then cool and store the mac and cheese, or prep in advance and broil the dish right before you plan on serving it.
If you’re prepping now and broiling at a later date, undercook the pasta and leave the potato chip topping off the mac and cheese to avoid sogginess. Before adding the topping and broiling, remove the mac and cheese from the fridge so it can come up to room temperature.
How do you reheat spicy mac and cheese?
The easiest way to reheat mac and cheese is to stick it in the microwave and zap it until heated or warm it in a skillet on the stove. You can also reheat mac and cheese in the oven by baking it at 350°F for about 20 minutes. If the mac looks dry, add a splash of milk to rehydrate it.
Spicy Mac and Cheese Tips
What cheese makes the best mac and cheese?
The best cheeses for mac and cheese effortlessly melt into your bechamel sauce. For spicy mac and cheese, pepper jack, chipotle Gouda (which has a smokier flavor) or habanero cheddar are personal favorites.
If you’re in the mood to experiment with flavors, sharp cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, goat cheese, Colby, mozzarella and Brie won’t steer you wrong.
What can you serve with spicy mac and cheese?
Depending on your mood, spicy mac and cheese can serve as an easy side dish or take center stage. As a partner to main meals, spicy mac is a match made in heaven with cookout fare: pulled pork, country-style ribs, brisket and bratwurst. It’s equally phenomenal with a simple roast chicken or meat loaf.
When mac and cheese in the main meal, serve it with homemade soup (perfect for winter), zesty green salads or vegetable side dishes like grilled corn on the cob, garlicky potato wedges or grilled asparagus. Because this mac and cheese is so rich, skew towards lighter sides.
