Cholula Macaroni-and-Cheese

There are a thousand variations on macaroni-and-cheese, it seems. Rich. Creamy. Crunchy. And all sorts of different kinds of pasta. Well, if you’re a follower of this blog you know what we love Cholula hot sauce, often called Flavorful Fire. So it’s only natural then that we loved this Cholula macaroni-and-cheese. A little heat, but still that creaminess that makes mac-and-cheese soooo good.

Cholula Macaroni-and-Cheese

Life’s Not All About Elbow Mac

I like making mac-and-cheese with something other than elbow pasta (like wagon wheel pasta). People aren’t expecting it, and you’ll find that some pastas hold the cheese sauce better than others. The little wheel pastas I used in my Cholula macaroni-and-cheese trapped the sauce in yummy little spokes.

Also try my pepperoni pizza mac and cheese.

This recipe is based on a recipe from Insane Chicken.

Cholula Macaroni-and-Cheese
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4 from 2 votes

Cholula Mac-and-Cheese

If you’re a follower of this blog you know what we love Cholula hot sauce, often called Flavorful Fire. So it’s only natural then that we loved this Cholula macaroni-and-cheese. A little heat, but still that creaminess that makes mac-and-cheese soooo good.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 472kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 F.
  • Cook pasta per package instructions. Drain.
  • Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisking constantly, stir in the flour, cooking for 1 minute.
  • While still whisking, add in the mustard, salt, white pepper, Cholula hot sauce, and in small amounts at a time, the milk.
  • Bring to a slow boil, still whisking, and boil for 1 minute until thickened.
  • Remove pan from the heat and stir in the cheeses until melted and smooth.
  • Add the pasta and gently stir to coat.
  • Pour mixture into a 2 quart baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir in the breadcrumbs and chili powder. Sprinkle mixture over the top of the mac-and-cheese.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
  • Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can substitute your favorite hot sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 872mg | Potassium: 334mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 902IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 611mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Civil War Macaroni-and-Cheese

Although not quite historically accurate, this Civil War macaroni-and-cheese is really quite good. I think the main reason that it tastes so good is that the pasta is cooked in milk instead of water. This gives it a creamier taste. Just like when you boil anything else, you need flavor in the water to make up for lost.

Civil War Macaroni-and-Cheese

A Few Words About The Real Deal

Apparently, elbow pasta, whole milk and cheddar cheese were not very common during the Civil War. But this recipe for Civil War macaroni-and-cheese is a close representation of what soldiers at the time would eat. Straight pasta, skim milk and Parmesan cheeses were more common then. Feel free to substitute!

Also try my southwestern macaroni-and-cheese recipe.

Civil War Macaroni-and-Cheese
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5 from 1 vote

Civil War Macaroni-and-Cheese

Although not quite historically accurate, this Civil War macaroni-and-cheese is really quite good. I think the main reason that it tastes so good is that the pasta is cooked in milk instead of water, giving it a creamier taste. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 419kcal
Author Found on the web

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Heat the milk in a large pot until it begins to steam.
  • Stir in the pasta. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  • Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and making sure that the pot doesn’t foam over. The pasta should absorb almost all of the milk. Remove from heat.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, melt the butter. Add in the cheese, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until the cheese has melted. Pour mixture into the pot with the pasta. Stir and add salt, to taste.
  • Spray a 9" x 9" baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Add pasta mixture. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Sprinkle with cayenne.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

Although not authentic, feel free to substitute a little pepper jack cheese for the cheddar for a nice kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 358mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 684IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 481mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese

I think the title pretty much says it all. Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese. It’s all of your favorite things in one dish. Insanely gooey good stuff. Even without the pepperoni, this is crazy good macaroni and cheese. I didn’t use to think tomato and mac were a bad idea. A bad combination. But the tomato adds a nice flavor, a little juicy goodness, that’s not expected but needed!

Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese

Not The Same-Old Same-Old Dish

I would not be afraid to add more pepperoni the next time I make this pepperoni pizza mac and cheese. There’s no need to go half in on this. Plain old mac and cheese is pretty decadent to begin with and this is definitely not ‘plain old’.

Also try my skillet sausage mac and cheese.

Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese
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5 from 1 vote

Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese

I think the title pretty much says it all. Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese. It’s all of your favorite things in one dish. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, pepperoni, pizza
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 182kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Cook pasta per package instructions. Drain well.
  • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour, and continue whisking for 3 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • While whisking, add in the milk. The mixture will thicken.
  • Add the oregano, basil and parsley and stir.
  • Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Remove pan from heat and stir in the cottage cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella until melted.
  • Stir in the pepperoni and tomato and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Fold in the pasta.
  • Pour mixture into the baking dish and spread out evenly with a spatula.
  • Sprinkle top with the breadcrumbs.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until bubbling hot and browned on top.

Notes

You can also make this using elbow pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 720mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 521IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 214mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

These macaroni-and-cheese muffins would be great for a family gathering. They’re easy to make and taste fantastically cheesy! You can make a big, huge batch of them in no time. It might keep Uncle Henry from snagging all of the mac-and-cheese out of a dish. It’s a lot more obvious that you’re hogging them all when you have to stack 10 of these little round morsels onto your plate.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

Pop-In-Your-Mouth Goodness

Macaroni-and-cheese muffins are rather fun to eat too. You can use your favorite mac-and-cheese recipe instead, if you like. Just watch the cook time because you might have to adjust it a bit. You want the macaroni to set up good in the tins.

Also try my mac-and-cheese waffles.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins
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4 from 1 vote

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

These macaroni-and-cheese muffins would be great for a family gathering. They’re easy to make and taste fantastically cheesy! You can make a big, huge batch of them in no time.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, muffins
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 231kcal
Author Found on the web

Ingredients

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more for the pasta
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
  • 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup bread crumbs seasoned
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Add pasta to a large pot of lightly salted boiling water and cook for 8 minutes.
  • Drain and return to the pot.
  • Add the butter and egg and stir until the butter is melted and the pasta is coated.
  • Add the milk, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and all of the Mozzarella cheese and stir until the cheeses are melted.
  • Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray.
  • Spoon in the pasta mixture.
  • Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  • In a small bowl combine 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the bread crumbs and olive oil.
  • Sprinkle over the tops of pasta.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes, letting the cheese set, before removing from the muffin tins to serve.

Notes

Use your favorite cheeses.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Roasted Garlic and Thyme Mac-and-Cheese

Wow. Now this roasted garlic and thyme mac-and-cheese is the way to do mac-and-cheese. I’ve had some really good, really cheesy mac-and-cheese, but this version from Des at Life’s Ambrosia is beyond good. Besides the wonderful flavors of roasted garlic and thyme, this take on the classic also includes an egg. Yes, an egg. It really makes for a thicker, extra-creamier texture.

Roasted Garlic and Thyme Mac-and-Cheese

Mac-And-Cheese Elevated

Make sure to use a decent sized head of garlic if you really want to get the flavors. This roasted garlic and thyme mac-and-cheese should have plenty of garlic in every bite. I prefer to roast mine on the grill for a little added smoky flavor. I may try this with fresh rosemary just to see how it would come out. Oh, and don’t be afraid to add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Also try my pepperoni pizza mac-and-cheese.

Roasted Garlic and Thyme Mac-and-Cheese
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5 from 1 vote

Roasted Garlic and Thyme Mac-and-Cheese

Unbelievably thick and creamy take on the classic.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword garlic, herbs, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 1059kcal
Author Des at Life’s Ambrosia

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 F (or fire up your grill for indirect cooking).
  • Cut off about 1/4" of the top of the garlic head and place on a piece of aluminum foil.
  • Drizzle with the olive oil.
  • Seal and bake for 45 minutes to an hour or until the garlic is tender and aromatic. Remove, open the foil, and let cool slightly.
  • Squeeze the garlic from the cloves and mince.
  • Melt the butter in a large pot over high heat, but do not burn it.
  • Add in the flour and whisk for one minute. Reduce heat to medium.
  • Slowly pour in the milk while whisking.
  • Simmer, but do not boil, stirring constantly until thickened.
  • Take a few tablespoons of the milk mixture and add to the egg.
  • Beat gently with a fork. This will raise the temperature of the egg so that it does not curdle when you add it to the pot.
  • Now, slowly add the egg to the pot.
  • Add in the cheese and stir until melted.
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons of the thyme, the red and black pepper, pasta and garlic, and season with salt.
  • Remove from heat and let rest 5-10 minute.
  • Serve garnished with remaining thyme.

Notes

If the pasta gets too thick, specially when reheating, just add a little bit of milk and stir.

Nutrition

Calories: 1059kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 39g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 225mg | Sodium: 947mg | Potassium: 568mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2312IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 1261mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.