Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese with a Cajun Twist
About this recipe
Get ready for the ultimate comfort food with a twist! This Baked Mac and Cheese features a creamy blend of Swiss and cheddar cheeses, enhanced by a hint of Cajun seasoning that adds a delightful kick. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner, this dish is as simple to make as it is delicious.
The combination of cream cheese, evaporated milk, and whole milk creates an irresistibly creamy texture, while the Cajun seasoning brings bold flavors that elevate this classic dish. Follow along with the easy steps to impress your friends and family with this cheesy delight.
Ingredient notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing.
- If you want a smaller portion, you can cut the recipe in half, which will still yield a satisfying mac and cheese for a smaller family.
Tips from Smokin' & Grillin with AB’s video
- Make sure to cook the elbow macaroni until al dente (about 9-10 minutes) to prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
- Shocking the macaroni with cold water after draining stops the cooking process and helps maintain the perfect texture.
Good to know
- How long does it take to bake the mac and cheese?
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- What size baking dish should I use?
- Use a 13x9 inch baking dish for this recipe.
- Can I use different types of cheese?
- The recipe specifically uses Swiss and cheddar cheese, but you can experiment with other cheeses if desired.
- How many servings does this recipe yield?
- This recipe serves 8.
No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to Smokin' & Grillin with AB: watch the original on YouTube.
The recipe
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Boil water in a large pot and add a couple of generous pinches of salt.
- 2
Add elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-10 minutes).
- 3
Drain the macaroni and shock it with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- 4
In a mixing bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese and evaporated milk. Whisk until smooth.
- 5
Add whole milk to the mixture and continue whisking until combined.
- 6
Stir in salt, mustard powder, and Cajun seasoning. Mix well.
- 7
In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then add it to the cheese mixture, stirring to combine.
- 8
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 9
Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish with butter.
- 10
Layer half of the macaroni in the greased dish, followed by half of the cheese mixture, and then half of the Swiss and cheddar cheese.
- 11
Repeat the layers with the remaining macaroni, cheese mixture, and top with the remaining cheese.
- 12
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Heads up — we had to guess a little:
- The quantity of Cajun seasoning is inferred based on typical usage in similar recipes.
Credit where it’s due: this recipe was transcribed from Smokin' & Grillin with AB’s original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it’s their dish.
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