Recipe: Baked Sriracha Mac & Cheese

This recipe was originally inspired by one I spied on Pinterest that was originally posted on a site called Bake Your Day, but when it came time to cook, I got lazy and decided not to bother printing the recipe (though I’m sure it’s great!) and just wing it based on the idea of a cheesy mac with a sriracha kick. Luckily for the fam and I, winging it totally worked tonight. Below is my modified version of the recipe.

Baked Sriracha Mac & Cheese

What you need:

• 1 lb. bow tie pasta
• 2 T. butter
• 2 T. flour
• 3 c. nonfat milk
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 2/3 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 c. grated sharp cheddar
• 1.5 c. grated colby jack
• 1/2 c. shredded parmesan
• 1/4 c. sriracha (rooster) sauce (found in the Asian foods section of your grocery store)
• 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
• garlic salt (optional, to taste)
• 2 tsp. olive oil

What to do:

1. Prepare the pasta as directed on the package to al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly until very lightly brown.
3. Turn the heat to low-medium then slowly pour in the milk, whisking slowly while you pour. Allow the milk mixture to slowly simmer until slightly thickened (about 5-7 minutes). Be careful, if the thickening is not happening, turn the heat up ever so gradually. Using nonfat milk keeps the calories down a little, but if nonfat milk is overheated, it will “break” or curdle. (Not harmful to eat, but a texture nightmare.)
4. Once the milk mixture has thickened slightly, add the nutmeg, salt and pepper, the cheddar, 1 c. of the colby jack and 1/4 c. of the parmesan cheese as well as the sriracha. Whisk to blend.
5. Toss the pasta in the sauce to coat.
6. Mix the panko, remaining parmesan, olive oil and a few dashes of garlic salt (if desired) in a small bowl with a fork.
7. Place the pasta in a shallow, rectangular baking dish.
8. Sprinkle the remaining colby jack then panko mixture evenly over the pasta.
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Allow to stand 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy! (Serves 6-8)

Natali

Natali Carrera is a full-time working mom, wife, web-writer and recovering Target addict. Oh let’s just be honest. She’s not likely recovering.

More Posts