This delicious Pioneer Woman Spicy Mac and Cheese is a quick and creamy comfort dish that’s perfect for any meal. With a spicy kick from jalapeños and Pepper Jack cheese, it’s simple to make using common ingredients you likely have on hand. Serve it with steak, shrimp, or enjoy it on its own!
Ingredients Needed
- 4 cups cooked macaroni or cavatappi
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 to 1/2 finely diced red onion
- Equal amount diced red bell pepper
- 1 finely diced jalapeño
- 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 generous cup grated Pepper Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How To Make Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the macaroni or cavatappi in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño, sautéing for about 2 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add Chilies and Corn: Stir in the canned green chilies and frozen corn, then turn off the heat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
- Melt the Cheese: Stir in the grated Pepper Jack cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue stirring gently until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Finish with Butter: Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve: Serve warm, pairing with steak, grilled shrimp, chicken, or enjoying it as a main dish. This spicy mac and cheese will quickly become a family favorite!
Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Pasta: For the best texture, cook your pasta just until al dente. Overcooking it will make the mac and cheese too mushy.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-grated cheese contains additives that can affect the texture. Grating the cheese fresh will make the sauce smoother.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer less heat, use half the amount of jalapeño or omit it entirely. You can also add more if you like it extra spicy!
- Add More Cream for a Richer Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more cream to get the perfect creamy consistency.
- Don’t Forget the Butter: Adding butter at the end makes the sauce richer and gives the dish a velvety texture. Don’t skip this step!
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Put leftovers spicy mac and cheese in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Place leftovers spicy mac and cheese in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave , adding a little cream if needed.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers spicy mac and cheese in the microwave with a splash of cream or on the stovetop over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 310
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 590mg
- Potassium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 33g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 12g
More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
Pioneer Woman Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe
Description
This delicious Pioneer Woman Spicy Mac and Cheese is a quick and creamy comfort dish that’s perfect for any meal. With a spicy kick from jalapeños and Pepper Jack cheese, it’s simple to make using common ingredients you likely have on hand. Serve it with steak, shrimp, or enjoy it on its own!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the macaroni or cavatappi in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño, sautéing for about 2 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add Chilies and Corn: Stir in the canned green chilies and frozen corn, then turn off the heat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
- Melt the Cheese: Stir in the grated Pepper Jack cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue stirring gently until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Finish with Butter: Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve: Serve warm, pairing with steak, grilled shrimp, chicken, or enjoying it as a main dish. This spicy mac and cheese will quickly become a family favorite!
Notes
- Use Fresh Pasta: For the best texture, cook your pasta just until al dente. Overcooking it will make the mac and cheese too mushy.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-grated cheese contains additives that can affect the texture. Grating the cheese fresh will make the sauce smoother.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer less heat, use half the amount of jalapeño or omit it entirely. You can also add more if you like it extra spicy!
- Add More Cream for a Richer Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more cream to get the perfect creamy consistency.
- Don’t Forget the Butter: Adding butter at the end makes the sauce richer and gives the dish a velvety texture. Don’t skip this step!
Pioneer Woman Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe