Best 6 Mac N Cheese With A Kick Recipes

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Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, if you're looking for a mac and cheese recipe with a little more kick, there are plenty of ways to spice it up. Whether you like your mac and cheese cheesy, creamy, or spicy, there's a recipe out there that's perfect for you.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE BEST BAKED MAC & CHEESE RECIPE EVER



The Best Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe Ever image

Super creamy and gloriously cheesy, this classic baked mac and cheese boasts a golden bubbling lid with ooey gooey goodness underneath.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces macaroni ( or other medium tubular pasta (like penne or conchiglie)* (1/2 pound or about 1 and 3/4 cups))
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika ((plus more for sprinkling on top))
2 1/2 cups 2% milk
3 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese ((approx. 12 ounces) **)

Steps:

  • Boil the pasta JUST until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside. (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.
  • Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. You'll reserve the last cup of cheese for topping. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.
  • Add half the pasta to a two-quart casserole dish (I like a tall 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and browning on top.
  • Serve, topping individual servings with parsley or cooked, chopped bacon if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 442 kcal, Sugar 7 g, Sodium 601 mg, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Carbohydrate 38 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 23 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, ServingSize 1 serving

MAC N CHEESE WITH A KICK



Mac N Cheese With a Kick image

Make and share this Mac N Cheese With a Kick recipe from Food.com.

Provided by bluekrystal_2000

Categories     Cheese

Time 40m

Yield 1/2 cups, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked per pkg instrucitons
2 cups cauliflower, chopped and boiled til soft
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups 2% low-fat milk
1 1/2 cups American cheese, grated
1/2 cup salad dressing
1/2 cup sour cream
5 tablespoons butter
1 dash salt
1 dash pepper

Steps:

  • Melt butter on low in skillet. Add flour, salt, pepper and mix with a whisk. Pour in milk, continue to whisk until slightly thickened and gradually add grated cheese. Whisk until completely melted. Add cauliflower and mix well. Add pasta and stir gently until everything is incorporated. Add salad dressing (Miracle whip works best) and sour cream and stir. Heat thoroughly. Add butter to taste.
  • Alternate ingredients can be added such as broccoli, ham chunks, etc.

KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE



KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE image

Provided by Emeril Lagasse

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 teaspoons butter
2 eggs
2 cups whole milk
Salt and white pepper
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
2 cups grated White Cheddar cheese
1 cup ham, diced
2 pound bag tater tots, thawed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9 by 2-inch square baking dish with the butter. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese, 1 cup of the White Cheddar cheese, the ham and the tater tots. Mix the mixture thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE



Kicked Up Mac and Cheese image

This ain't your grandma's mac and cheese.

Provided by HYPERPUPPY

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 ½ cups rotelle pasta
4 tablespoons butter, divided
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
3 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 cup shredded pepperjack cheese
1 ½ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup dry bread crumbs
2 teaspoons chili powder

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. A little at a time, whisk in milk, mustard, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute, then remove from heat and whisk in pepperjack, Cheddar and Parmesan until smooth. Stir in cooked pasta and pour into shallow 2 quart baking dish.
  • Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in bread crumbs and chili powder. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture.
  • Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 351.9 calories, Carbohydrate 19.6 g, Cholesterol 68.7 mg, Fat 23.3 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 16.4 g, SaturatedFat 13.8 g, Sodium 690.2 mg, Sugar 5 g

KICK IT UP A NOTCH MACARONI AND CHEESE



Kick It up a Notch Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Kick It up a Notch Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by southern chef in lo

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) box elbow macaroni
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 (13 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (16 ounce) package sharp cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package mild cheddar cheese
1 (16 ounce) box Velveeta cheese
1 (4 ounce) can jalapeno peppers, chopped
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook elbow noodles according to directions.
  • While the pasta is cooking cut 16 oz block of cheese into small cubes and slice the Velveeta into pieces.
  • Drain the pasta when done, do not rinse.
  • Return the pasta to the pot; add butter, milk, cheese cubes and slices to the hot pasta. Mix well until the Velveeta is melted.
  • The mixture will be soupy and the cubes of cheese will not be melted completely.
  • Add the peppers and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour in baking dish. Cover with the 8 oz of cheddar that has been shredded.
  • Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Top should be browned and pasta should be set.

MOMMA'S DEEP-DISH MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Momma's Deep-Dish Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

My momma makes the best (and easiest!) deep-dish macaroni and cheese. It's like a baked mac 'n' cheese pie with a combination of smoked Gouda, pepper Jack, mozzarella, cottage cheese, and more. It's one of our family's favorite dishes and a holiday must-have.

Provided by Matt Ciampa

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling
16 oz large elbow macaroni
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese, divided
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
1 cup shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese, divided
1 can cheese sauce, or cream of mushroom soup
½ cup evaporated milk
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne
2 large eggs, beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 7 x 11-inch (17 x 27 cm) baking dish with butter.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and return to the warm pot.
  • Add butter to the macaroni and stir until melted and the noodles are well coated.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the sour cream, cottage cheese, 1 cup cheddar, ½ cup Gouda, ½ cup pepper Jack, ½ cup mozzarella, the cheese sauce, evaporated milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne until well combined.
  • Add the sauce to the pot with noodles and mix until fully coated. Season with more salt and black pepper to taste. Stir the eggs until well incorporated.
  • Pour the macaroni into the prepared baking dish and smooth in an even layer.
  • In a medium bowl, toss together the remaining 1 cup cheddar, ½ cup Gouda, ½ cup pepper Jack, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  • Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
  • Enjoy!
  • RECIPE BY: Meiko Temple

Nutrition Facts : Calories 587 calories, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 28 grams, Sugar 6 grams

Tips:

  • Select the right pasta: Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for mac and cheese, but any short pasta shape will work well.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it.
  • Use a flavorful cheese blend: A combination of cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses will give your mac and cheese a rich and complex flavor.
  • Add some heat: A little bit of cayenne pepper or sriracha sauce can add a nice kick to your mac and cheese.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are endless possibilities when it comes to mac and cheese. Try adding different ingredients like bacon, broccoli, or tomatoes.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its creamy, cheesy goodness, it's the perfect dish for a cold winter day or a casual get-together. Whether you like it mild or spicy, there's a mac and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give one of these recipes a try.

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