Macaroni and cheese is pure comfort food. There is just something about pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce that feels like a warm blanket or brings back memories of your favorite comfy clothes. I tend to get a little bored with regular macaroni and cheese so I like to change it up from time to time. Cajun macaroni and cheese takes all the goodness of the classic dish and adds some spice.
A lot of people think that homemade macaroni and cheese is difficult because of the sauce. But, I am here to assure you that anyone can make homemade cheese sauce with a little patience.
What You’ll Need:
2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 oz canned green chile peppers
1 lb andouille sausage, diced
1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
1 3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
16 ounces of penne pasta
Let’s Make It:
1) Cook pasta according to package directions, removing from heat and draining 2 minutes short of the stated time for al dente pasta.
2) Heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. 
Remove from pan and set aside. Add onion and green pepper to the pan and saute for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften. Set aside.
3) In a separate heavy bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir until fully combined.
4) Whisk in a small amount of milk at a time, letting the roux {fancy word for butter + flour} soak up the milk before adding more. Once combined, bring to a boil and whisk for 2 minutes. Whisk in evaporated milk.
5) Add cheese, in small batches, into the sauce letting the cheese fully melt before adding more. Stir in sausage and vegetables. Then, add pasta and stir well. Cook for an additional two minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if desired.
What is your favorite comfort food? Do you like to shake up the traditional macaroni and cheese recipe from time to time?
- 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 oz canned green chile peppers
- 1 lb andouille sausage, diced
- ¼ tsp cajun seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 3 Tbsp flour
- 1¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
- 16 ounces of penne pasta
- Cook pasta according to package directions, removing from heat and draining 2 minutes short of the stated time for al dente pasta.
- Heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove from pan and set aside. Add onion and green pepper to the pan and saute for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften. Set aside.
- In a separate heavy bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir until fully combined.
- Whisk in a small amount of milk at a time, letting the roux {fancy word for butter + flour} soak up the milk before adding more. Once combined, bring to a boil and whisk for 2 minutes. Whisk in evaporated milk.
- Add cheese, in small batches, into the sauce letting the cheese fully melt before adding more. Stir in sausage and vegetables. Then, add pasta and stir well. Cook for an additional two minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if desired.
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This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.
It seems like great minds think a like since I just made Cajun Chicken Alfredo! Great recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Cajun chicken alfredo sounds fantastic! Yum!
I love macaroni and cheese as well as anything spicy. That looks really good. I think I’ll have to give it a whirl! Thanks for posting.
Spicy!!!!!!!!!! Sounds good with the ham added to it, nice touch!
This looks way better then the boxed stuff! I love making homemade macaroni, but this recipe looks extra delish with the sausage.
Comfort food plus spiciness – brilliant! I pinned this so I can try it later. 🙂
Looks like a fantastic Mardi Gras dish to me. In fact, I think I will pin to that Board.
This looks amazing! I will say I don’t get tired of classical mac and cheese but I also love Cajun flavors! I will definitely be giving this one a try! Pinning, Thank you for sharing on the DBB
Looks delicious!! Interesting flavor combos. This might help my husband actually LIKE mac n cheese (he’s odd)
I’m a comfort food junkie…therefore Mac & Cheese is a favorite. There’s not much better than homemade either. I really like the Cajun twist you gave it and will definitely be trying this out!
Yummy! I will have to make this!
YUM! I love anything with cajun flavorings!
Being from New Orleans myself, you know I just have to try this now! This looks wonderful and I do love anything spicy!
Pasta with kick!
Love it!!
I’m adding this to our grocery list 🙂
I’m not sure this would go over in my house. I like to try new things but my family does not. Looks awesome!
Looks great! My family are big fans of mac and cheese. We usually stick to our tried and true baked macaroni, but this would be a nice change.
Macaroni and Cheese is my second favorite comfort food, second to mashed potatoes. I love that you gave this recipe a little kick!
Love this recipe/ Looks great!
You make some of the best food. Id have to run every day if we knew each other!
This looks so good! I love the spices in it, and I know my kids would most likely love it.
Wow! This looks absolutely amazing! You definitely did spice of the regular mac and cheese recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Cajun spice is my favorite spice in my whole kitchen. I absolutely LOVE it! I also love it on pasta like this!
I will have to make this!
That looks so delicious! I could eat the whole pot!
Oh yum 🙂 This would be an amazing “soul food” dish!
This looks delicious!! I’ve never seen this before, I’ll have to give it a shot.