Transform your beloved comfort food classic with this irresistible spicy mac and cheese recipe. This isn’t just another variation, it’s a perfect balance of creamy, cheesy goodness with just enough heat to make things interesting. Pickled jalapeƱos and Creole seasoning add layers of flavor without overwhelming the dish, while heavy cream and cream cheese create the ultimate velvety texture. Topped with crispy breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, this recipe delivers comfort food satisfaction with an exciting twist.
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Why This Recipe Works
This spicy mac and cheese succeeds because it layers flavors strategically rather than simply adding heat. The pickled jalapeƱos provide tangy spice mellowed by rich dairy components, while Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning adds complex warmth beyond basic pepper heat. Using cream cheese and heavy cream creates an ultra-smooth sauce that perfectly coats every piece of pasta. The two-cheese combination of sharp cheddar and cream cheese provides classic mac and cheese flavor and superior melting properties for the silkiest texture.
Spicy Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients
This spicy macaroni and cheese casserole recipe takes this familiar and delicious comfort food to the next level. With its spicy cheese sauce, you will have people begging for seconds! Here’s what you need:
Pasta Foundation
- Elbow macaroni – Classic shape holds cheese sauce perfectly in every curve
- Salt – Seasons pasta water for flavor throughout the dish
Creamy Cheese Sauce Base
- Cream cheese – Creates ultra-smooth, velvety sauce foundation
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Provides classic mac and cheese flavor and richness
- Heavy cream – Adds luxurious texture and helps meld all flavors
- Unsalted butter – Creates silky base for sauce and adds richness
Spice and Heat Elements
- Pickled jalapeƱo slices – Adds tangy heat that’s perfectly balanced
- JalapeƱo juice – Provides liquid spice without overwhelming texture
- Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning – Delivers complex spice blend with garlic and herbs
- Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances the heat
Crispy Topping
- Breadcrumbs – Creates golden, crunchy contrast to creamy interior
How to Make Spicy Mac and Cheese
- Cook the macaroni in a large pot and drain well according to the package directions.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat on the stovetop, add the cream cheese, and mix until blended.
- Add the heavy cream and the jalapeƱo juice.
- Mix in the Cheddar and the sliced jalapeƱos.
- Add the salt and Tony Chachere’s seasoning.
- Layer your casserole dish with cooked macaroni and the cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake at 350Ā°F for 30 minutes.
Note: Keep the leftover jalapeƱo juice. It makes a wonderful addition to soups.
Recipe Notes
For best results, always shred your cheese yourself. Store-bought shredded cheeses are often coated with anti-clumping preservatives that prevent them from melting smoothly.
Make breadcrumbs at home. Learn how to make bread crumbs. Or, make homemade Panko breadcrumbs.
Recipe Variations
This easy, creamy baked mac and cheese with a hint of spice is ready in under an hour and is very easy to customize. Here are some suggestions:
- Veggies: Roasted garlic, caramelized onion, broccoli, spinach, kale, and diced tomatoes all taste great in this spicy mac and cheese recipe.
- Protein: to make your mac and cheese into a full meal, stir in fully cooked chicken, chorizo, andouille sausage, diced ham, or prosciutto.
- Bacon: Top this mac with some crispy bacon pieces. Bacon bits add a nice little chew.
- Cheese: This macaroni and cheese is excellent when you use pepper jack cheese. Or use a combination of cheeses – three kinds of cheese that work well together for mac and cheese are white or sharp Cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan.
- Pasta: Use shells instead of elbow macaroni.
Cheddar provides that classic mac and cheese taste, melted mozzarella has that stretchy quality for fantastic texture, and parmesan adds a salty, umami flavor.
What to Serve With Spicy Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a must for a holiday side dish. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables or a salad to make a well-rounded meal everyone will love. Here are some more suggestions to go with your spicy macaroni and cheese:
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Freezing: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Texture remains creamy when properly stored.
- Reheating Method: Reheat in 350Ā°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add splash of cream if needed to restore consistency. Microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between.
Love Mac and Cheese? Try These Recipes!
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Martha Stewart Mac and Cheese
- Outback Mac and Cheese
- Panera Mac and Cheese
- Skillet Mac and Cheese
- Stouffers Mac and Cheese
Favorite Casserole Side Dishes
- Asparagus Casserole
- Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole
- Creamed Corn Casserole
- Mashed Potato Casserole
Check out my easy casserole dishes and the best side dish recipes on CopyKat!
Spicy JalapeƱo Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 pound cream cheese
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup juice from a jar of jalapeƱos
- 1/2 pound cheddar cheese
- 1 cup jarred sliced jalapeƱos
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
- 1 pound macaroni prepared according to package directions
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350Ā°F.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Add the cream cheese and mix until blended.
- Add the heavy cream and jalapeƱo juice and whisk.
- Mix in the cheddar, stirring until the cheese is completely melted.
- Mix in the sliced jalapeƱos, salt, and Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning and continue whisking until all ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
- Layer the bottom of the pan with half of the cooked macaroni. Cover the macaroni with half of the cheddar mixture.
- Add the remaining macaroni followed by the remaining cheddar mixture.
- Dust the top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Add some cooked linked sausage and turn this into a main dish.
- 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.
What the heck is Tony Chachwhoever’s??!! Lol
It is a brand of seasoned salt.
Can you make this recipe the day before you bake it?
I wouldn’t because the sauce will be dried up
The cream cheese and the heavy cream assist in reducing the heat from the Jalapenos
You are right, this wasn’t nearly as spicy as you think it could be.
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.
I thought the same thing too, but it really works.
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
Every thing is better with Tony’s!!
You are right about that, it makes most things better!
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!
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…”