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Quick and Easy New Orleans Mac and Cheese

Quick and Easy New Orleans Mac and Cheese

A creamy, spicy Cajun-inspired mac and cheese with bold New Orleans flavors that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 685

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup pepper jack cheese shredded
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns golden and smells nutty, creating a light roux.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and stirring for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the spices into the sauce.
  5. Reduce heat to low and add the shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese in batches, stirring after each addition until completely melted and smooth.
  6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until all the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy Cajun cheese sauce.
  7. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately while hot and creamy, garnished with extra Cajun seasoning or fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 685kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 28gFat: 38gSodium: 890mgFiber: 2g

Notes

For extra New Orleans flair, add cooked andouille sausage or blackened shrimp to the finished dish. The pepper jack cheese provides the signature spicy kick, but you can substitute with more cheddar for a milder version. Make sure to shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.

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