Dad's Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese with a Kick

Bring the ultimate comfort food to your table with Dad's Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese with a Kick—a creamy, cheesy masterpiece with a bold, spicy twist! This elevated mac and cheese combines four cheeses, including sharp cheddar, pepper jack, and parmesan, for a velvety sauce bursting with flavor. A dash of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and a splash of hot sauce deliver just the right amount of heat, while a golden, crispy panko crumb topping adds irresistible texture. Perfectly baked in the oven until bubbling and golden, this crowd-pleasing dish is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where rich, satisfying comfort food shines.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.25 tsp ground mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly to create a smooth mixture. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar, monterey jack, pepper jack, and parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.

Step 6

Add the cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce to the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, making sure every noodle is fully coated.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil (or melted butter). Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling around the edges.

Step 11

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Dad's Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese with a Kick!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2133.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6002.6

Total Fat 352.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 197.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 971.8mg	0%
Sodium 7546.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 456.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.6g	0%
Total Sugars 55.3g
Protein 239.0g	0%

Vitamin D 418.1IU	0%
Calcium 5022.8mg	0%
Iron 22.7mg	0%
Potassium 1596.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.3%

Protein: 16.0%

Carbs: 30.7%