Peppy Mac And Cheese Recipes

BACON-PEPPER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the butter in small bowl. Stir bell pepper and onions into butter in saucepan. Increase heat to medium; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and mustard. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Increase heat to medium-high. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens, about 5 minutes. Gently stir in bacon and pasta.
• Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Pour into casserole. Stir bread crumbs into melted butter in small bowl. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
• Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

SPICY PEPPADEW® PEPPER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat butter over medium-low heat in a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add onion and kosher salt; cook, stirring occasionally until softened and lightly golden, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook cavatappi in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Stir flour into the sauteed onion; increase heat to medium and cook for 1 minute. Pour in milk and heavy cream in a steady stream, stirring or whisking to combine. Bring mixture to a simmer; cook until thickened, about 8 minutes.
• Stir Cheddar cheese, Neufchatel cheese, hot pickled red peppers, and Worcestershire sauce into the milk mixture until fully melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper. Add pasta and toss carefully to coat. Pour into a large casserole dish.
• Combine Parmesan-Romano cheese, bread crumbs, and olive oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over mac and cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbling and the top is golden, 25 to 35 minutes.

JALAPENO PEPPER MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
• In a skillet, heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium heat. Add the jalapenos, serranos and garlic and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add to the pasta.
• Preheat the broiler. In a saucepan, combine the milk, cream cheese and onion over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring, until smooth, 5 minutes; stir into the pasta. Stir in the jack cheese; season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the pasta to a baking dish and broil until browned, about 3 minutes.

BELL PEPPER MAC AND CHEESE WITH FONDUE CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Set oven control to broil. Broil bell peppers with tops about 5 inches from heat about 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until skins are blistered and evenly browned. Place peppers in plastic bag; close tightly. Let stand 20 minutes. Remove skin, stems, seeds and membranes from peppers. Cut peppers into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 3-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, toss cheese with flour until cheese is coated. In 3-quart nonreactive saucepan, heat wine, whipping cream and garlic to simmering; reduce heat. Gradually stir in cheese, salt, red pepper and nutmeg until cheese is melted. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
• Stir cooked pasta, roasted peppers and parsley into cheese sauce. Spoon into casserole. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and butter. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
• Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring often, until golden and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Melt remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and paprika, stir well, and cook until vegetables are coated, about 1 minute.
• While whisking, carefully stream in the milk until smooth and incorporated. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Simmer, whisking often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese and pimentos, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly. Evenly sprinkle the toasted panko on top. Bake until golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

PEPPY MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni and cheese dinner according to package directions. Stir in pepperoni.