This Cajun Mac and Cheese recipe is loaded with bacon and lots of cheese for the best comfort food in the world. It is easily made with a single pan on the stovetop!
Make this stovetop mac and cheese for loved ones, or eat all of it yourself. I won’t tell.
I love this recipe because it’s made entirely on the stovetop (and in ONE pan, no less!).
It’s quite simple to make, and doesn’t require fancy techniques.
It does, however, require a boatload of cheeeeeeese. As in, a pound and a half.
Yep, you heard me. A POUND AND A HALF OF CHEEZ.
I blame my recent trip to New Orleans. I’ve developed something of an addiction to all things comfort food.
I won’t think less of you if you develop an addiction to this stovetop mac and cheese. I promise.
Here’s the Recipe!
Cajun Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried macaroni noodles
- 1/2 pound bacon - chopped
- 1 jalapeno - de-seeded and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper - finely chopped
- 1 orange or yellow bell pepper - finely chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 8 ounces Gouda cheese - shredded
- 8 ounces extra sharp Cheddar cheese - shredded
- 8 ounces Monterrey Jack cheese - shredded
- Salt & Pepper
- Green onions - cayenne pepper, and bread crumbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add the noodles and cook until al dente (do not overcook!).
- Drain the noodles and set aside. Return the pot to the stove and set the heat to medium. Add the chopped bacon and cook until the fat has rendered, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve the bacon grease in the pot.
- Add the jalapeno and bell peppers to the pan. Saute for 5 minutes, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. After five minutes, remove the jalapeno and bell peppers from the pan and set aside with the cooked noodles. Carefully wipe any excess fat from the pan.
- Add the half cup of butter to the pan and allow it to melt. Sprinkle the flour into the pan and whisk into the butter. Cook the roux mixture* for 3 minutes, whisking constantly.
- Slowly pour the chicken broth into the pan and continue to stir. Add the thyme, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to the pot, and allow the sauce to come to a boil over medium heat. Once it has come to a boil, pour the milk and half & half into the sauce and stir well.
- Once the sauce mixture just barely starts to boil, turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheese by the handful. Return the cooked pasta and sauteed peppers to the pot. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with green onions, cayenne pepper, and bread crumbs if desired.
NOTES
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Words can’t describe how much I LOVED this dish!!! Towards the end of making it, I did a taste test. There was so much cheesy goodness, and all the flavors came together wonderfully. I kept eating it directly out of the skillet. I had to stop myself from eating so much so that I didn’t get full by the time my family came downstairs for dinner lol. That’s how amazing this dish is!
Hello Anetta, such a great recipe with pork. Pork is one of my favorite items. I made it after getting the recipe from your blog it was a great experience. Thank you. Give us good recipes like this.
Such a fun twist on mac n cheese! I looks awesome! Pinned 🙂
You did an El Supremo job on the cheese selections and the spices. Wow. I had to pin
this. I lust after mac and cheese to start with, but this is a fab recipe.
Aw, thanks, Carol!! Cheese is a serious love of mine.