Close-up of Baked Pepper Mac & Cheese, as seen on The Pioneer Woman Season 36
Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond

Baked Pepper Mac and Cheese

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 50 min
  • Active: 30 min
  • Yield: 2 to 4 serving
Rather than making a roux for a cheese sauce, Ree uses the shortcut of adding a block of cream cheese. The big flavors in this dish, however, come from the herbs, spicy peppers and pepper jack cheese.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepot over medium heat, warm the milk and cream cheese until the cheese has melted and the milk is beginning to bubble. Reserving 1/4 quarter cup of each of both the white Cheddar and pepper jack, fold in the rest of the grated cheeses. Stir until completely melted. Season to taste with the seasoning salt and black pepper. Add the reserved pasta, herbs and pimientos, then toss. Transfer to a buttered 9-inch square non-glass baking dish.
  3. Toss the panko breadcrumbs in a bowl with the melted butter, then add all the sliced mini peppers, jalapeños and poblanos.
  4. Top the baking dish with the reserved cheeses, then with the breadcrumb and pepper mixture. Bake until golden and bubbly, 18 to 20 minutes, then serve.