Nif's Cajun Macaroni and Cheese

Elevate your comfort food game with "Nif's Cajun Macaroni and Cheese," a bold, flavor-packed twist on the classic dish! This creamy, cheesy delight combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich medley of sharp cheddar, pepper jack, Parmesan, and cream cheese for an irresistibly smooth texture. The Cajun seasoning, smoked sausage, and sautéed bell peppers infuse every bite with smoky, spicy depth, perfectly balanced by a silky, buttery roux. Baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh green onions, this Southern-inspired recipe is equal parts indulgent and hearty—perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Whip up this crowd-pleasing masterpiece in just under an hour and savor the vibrant flavors of Cajun mac and cheese that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 12 oz smoked sausage (sliced into rounds)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 2 green onions (chopped for garnish)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the sliced smoked sausage until browned. Remove the sausage and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, sauté the diced green and red bell peppers until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5

In a large pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour to form a roux, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.

Step 6

Gradually add the whole milk and heavy cream to the roux, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 7

Turn the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese. Continue stirring until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 8

Mix in the Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 9

Add the cooked macaroni, browned smoked sausage, and sautéed bell peppers to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated.

Step 10

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top, if desired.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor and color.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2650.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6778.8

Total Fat 452.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 255.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.5g
Cholesterol 1297.0mg	0%
Sodium 14264.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 353.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 63.3g
Protein 293.6g	0%

Vitamin D 394.1IU	0%
Calcium 6177.7mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 2956.0mg	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: 61.1%

Protein: 17.6%

Carbs: 21.3%