Jimmy Buffet’s Spicy Macaroni and Cheese is a great take on this classic comfort food. We all can’t get away to one of the Margaritaville restaurants, but you can make one of their most-loved side dishes at home.
Jimmy Buffet’s Spicy Macaroni and cheese is a creamy mac and cheese that has a bit of a kick. Macaroni and cheese is a favorite comfort dish of so many of us. Personally, whenever it served, I will give it a try.
Who doesn’t just love macaroni and cheese? This macaroni and cheese is a wonderfully spicy version. While it is spicy it is not too hot. The juice from the jalapeno peppers adds just the right touch. This is a great recipe to bring to a party because it has some extra kick to it.
Why Jimmy Buffet’s Spicy and Macaroni Cheese is so good.
This recipe works on many different levels. It combines layers of flavors. This recipe isn’t one dimensional. Multiple types of cheese are used for really getting a good cheese flavor.
By using seasoned salt and layering with jalapeno juice, you are getting not only a spice kick but lots of flavors. The creamy cheesy sauce makes this dish perfect to enjoy with any meal.
Woah that’s a lot of jalapenos in this macaroni and cheese. Is this too hot?
This recipe will not light your tongue on fire, nor make you feel you entered the 9th level of Dante’s Inferno. Why is that? There are a couple of things going on here that really help.
First, the heavy cream and the cream cheese really help to reduce the heat of the pickled jalapenos. Pickled jalapenos aren’t as hot. Learn more about why pickled jalapenos aren’t as hot as fresh peppers.
In a saucepan melt butter. Add cream cheese and mix until blended. Add heavy cream and whisk. Add jalapeno juice and whisk. Mix in cheddar, stirring until cheddar is completely melted. Mix in sliced jalapenos. Add salt and Tony Chachere’s seasoning.
Jimmy Buffet’s Spicy Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 pound cream cheese softened
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
- 1/2 pound Cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 cup sliced jalapenos from a jar
- 1/2 cup jalapeno juice from a jar
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 pound Macaroni
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In a saucepan melt butter. Add cream cheese and mix until blended. Add heavy cream and whisk. Add jalapeno juice and whisk. Mix in cheddar, stirring until cheddar is completely melted. Mix in sliced jalapenos. Add salt and Tony Chachere's seasoning.
- Continue whisking until all ingredients are completely incorporated. Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with non-stick spray. Layer bottom of a 13 x 9-inch pan with cooked macaroni. Cover with cheddar mixture. Add another layer of pasta and cheddar mixture. Dust top with breadcrumbs. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Recipe Tips for the Cook
- Add some cooked linked sausage and turn this into a meal.
- This macaroni and cheese is great when you use Pepper Jack cheese.
- This dish is really best eaten in one sitting, you can reheat it, but it gets a little dry the second time around.
Nutrition
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Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Edie says
What the heck is Tony Chachwhoever’s??!! Lol
Stephanie says
It is a brand of seasoned salt.
Kim says
Can you make this recipe the day before you bake it?
Heather says
I wouldn’t because the sauce will be dried up
Kathryn Kelly says
The cream cheese and the heavy cream assist in reducing the heat from the Jalapenos
stephaniemanley says
You are right, this wasn’t nearly as spicy as you think it could be.
Katie says
SO delicious! I thought the jalapenos with the juice were going to be too much and too spicy, but it was perfect. I’d use the rue (minus the Jalapeno’s, just the juice) for a soup, too!
I used panko breadcrumbs, and more than what the recipe called for to top off the mac and cheese. Soaked up some of the grease I thought I’d see on the top, and added the perfect texture to each bite.
Stephanie says
I thought the same thing too, but it really works.
Cindy Ardoin says
Many thanks for including Tony Chachere’s in your recipe! Mac -n- Cheese happens to be my personal favorite food in this world!
Cindy Ardoin
Food Scientist
Tony Chachere’s
Kathryn Kelly says
Every thing is better with Tony’s!!
stephaniemanley says
You are right about that, it makes most things better!
Barbie says
do you bake it or what, after putting in loaf pan?? what temp and how long??
Recipe has been updated. Thanks for pointing out me leaving part of it off!
Casey@Good. Food. Stories. says
Mac and Cheese in Paradise! Can we make up new lyrics? “I like mine with bacon and prosciutto, Sriracha sauce or stir in some fonduto…”