Pimiento Mac And Cheese Recipe

Elevate your mac and cheese game with this fiery, flavorful recipe! Inspired by Bon Appetit, this recipe features sweet peppadew peppers, smoky ancho chile powder, and a crunchy panko topping. Get ready for a creamy, cheesy, and surprisingly spicy pasta bake that will become your new favorite comfort food. Find peppadew peppers at your local grocery store – they're worth the search!

Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 67 mins
Calories 437.8 kcal
Protein 41g
Rating Be the first
Pimiento Mac And Cheese 51

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Pimiento Mac And Cheese

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How to Make Pimiento Mac And Cheese

  1. **Prepare the Pepper Mixture:** In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water, 1 medium bell pepper (chopped), and 1 1/2 cloves garlic (minced) to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the pepper is tender, about 15 minutes.
  3. **Make the Panko Topping:** In a skillet over medium-high heat, toast 1 cup panko breadcrumbs until golden brown, stirring frequently (5-6 minutes).
  4. Transfer the toasted panko to a bowl and let cool to lukewarm.
  5. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until combined.
  6. **Blend the Cheese Sauce:** Transfer the cooked bell pepper mixture to a food processor.
  7. Add 1/2 cup drained peppadew peppers (roughly chopped), 1 tablespoon peppadew brine, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder, and 1/2 clove garlic (minced).
  8. Add 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  9. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  10. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  11. **Cook the Pasta:** Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook 1 pound pasta (elbow macaroni or your favorite shape) in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain.
  12. **Combine and Bake:** Return the cooked pasta to the pot. Stir in the cheese sauce and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
  13. Season with salt and pepper.
  14. Pour the pasta mixture into a buttered 8-cup baking dish.
  15. Sprinkle evenly with the panko topping.
  16. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the sauce is bubbling.
  17. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

20 g

Sugar

11g

Fat

67g

Carbs

12g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner The Americas American Southern Vegetarian Fall Recipes Game Day Recipes Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Casseroles Main Dish Eggs Dairy Pasta Vegetables Vegetarian Cheese Dietary Pasta Rice And Grains Pasta Shells Peppers 4 Hours Or Less Macaroni And Cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Pimiento Mac And Cheese?

Pimiento Mac And Cheese takes about 92 minutes from start to finish — roughly 25 minutes to prepare and 67 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Pimiento Mac And Cheese?

Pimiento Mac And Cheese has approximately 437.8 calories per serving, with about 41 g protein, 12 g carbohydrates and 34 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Pimiento Mac And Cheese?

The key ingredients for Pimiento Mac And Cheese are Red Bell Pepper, Garlic Cloves, Panko Breadcrumbs, Unsalted Butter, Parmesan Cheese, Brine. See the full list with measurements above.

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