Cajun Style Macaroni and Cheese
Kickin' It Cajun Style Macaroni & Cheese
Servings: 8 - 10
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
I love macaroni & cheese. It's one of my favorite comfort foods. Any time I go to a new restaurant, I will check to see if they have a unique or different mac & cheese on the menu and I must try it. I've tried all kinds of creamy, cheesy goodness from classic boxed Kraft Mac 'n Cheese to some gourmet recipes made with meats, fancy cheese blends, veggies, or wines in them.
In all my years of sampling, one chef at a restaurant in North Jersey really got my attention with his Southern Mac & Cheese. I was so in love with it, I tried many times to recreate the dish and ended up adding my own touches. When my family couldn't stop eating this one, oooh-ing & aaaah-ing over every bite, I knew I finally had the perfect recipe. I've been making it for them for a few years now & they still can't get enough. So here it is - Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
This wonderful recipe was submitted by Sara Marshalek from Raritan, NJ on Friday March 18th, 2011.
Cajun Style Macaroni and Cheese
Recipe Ingredients:
- 16 ounces Cavatappi (hollow corkscrew) pasta, prepared
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 andouille sausage links, precooked, quartered lengthwise & diced
- 1/2 cup diced cubanelle pepper
- 1/2 cup canned petite diced tomatoes
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 4 cups milk
- 16 ounces freshly grated white cheddar
- 1/2 cup canned tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Cajun spice blend
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (your preference)
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Recipe Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large saucepan or dutch oven, heat oil. Add onion, chicken, & peppers. Saute until chicken is cooked through & vegetables are soft. Add sausage & diced tomatoes, heat through. Set mixture aside in a covered bowl to rest.
3. Melt butter in same saucepan. Stir in flour to create roux. Cook 2 – 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in milk. Bring just to a boil, stirring frequently, to thicken then remove from heat.
4. Add cheddar, tomato sauce, Cajun spice, cayenne, chili powder, salt & pepper to taste. Stir well until cheese is melted.
5. Stir in chicken mixture & cooked pasta to the cheese sauce.
6. Pour into a greased 9” x 13” pan. Bake 15 – 20 minutes until bubbly.
Comments for Cajun Style Macaroni and Cheese
Oct 20, 2013
Major Yum! by: KItty
I cannot wait to try this one. Your recipe for fried gizzards turned out great, or so says my family (I won't eat them because I don't like the texture). Lots of stuff sounds great on here. I was raised in south AL so this is COMFORT FOOD at its finest :) Great work!!!
Apr 14, 2011
Kid approved mac and cheese by: Sue
My kids love mac & cheese! Ryan was looking at the pictures and said can we have that for dinner tonight. He asked what was in it and I read the ingredients to him and he said "mac and cheese get in my belly". Looks amazing and it tastes even better :).
Apr 13, 2011
Tonights dinner meal by: Taylor
I've been on a hunt for a good Cajan Style Mac & cheese. By far this is the best I've seen so far. I'm cooking this tonight for dinner. YUM!
Apr 13, 2011
Looks delicious by: Eric W
This looks so Good I'm gonna try and duplicate it for tonites dinner.
Apr 13, 2011
Creamy Comfort Food Perfection by: Anonymous
Sara made this for our last ladies' night at her house, and it was so delicious, we couldn't stop eating it. Creamy, spicy, lots of different flavors & textures. It's everything you want in mac & cheese, and then some. This was the ultimate in comfort food - I was begging her for the recipe. Now I can make it, and you should too!
Apr 06, 2011
A delish new twist! by: Theresa
This recipe is so exciting and out of the ordinary! Takes your comfort food enjoyment to a whole new level with spicy goodness in every bit!
Creamy, smooth and delicious. What more could you want in a mac and cheese? Take that, Kraft!
Mar 24, 2011
Yummy! by: Kim
Looks great!! I can't wait to try it tonight for dinner! My family is going to love it.
Mar 23, 2011
Loved it! by: Jodee N.
I'm always looking for a good cajun recipe and this was awesome! Even the kids loved it!
Mar 20, 2011
GREAT DISH! by: Anonymous
Great, Cajun mac and cheese. I love this recipe. Something different for mac and cheese and very good.
Mar 20, 2011
Delicious! by: Stacey
YUM! I can't wait until the rest of my family try's this. Besides the flavor, I love the type of pasta used in this recipe, too.
Mar 20, 2011
Delicious Mac and cheese by: Jo Anee
Tried this dish last night and it was awesome! I will definitely recommend it to my friends!!! Yummy in the tummy for sure!!!!!
Mar 19, 2011
Looks Super Yummy!!! by: Jenn
Going to try this ASAP Looks yummy and very easy to make.
Mar 19, 2011
DELICIOUS!! by: Jessica
This is a perfect weeknight recipe for left over chicken. The only thing I changed was the onions, I used powder. It was quick & easy. It came out creamy, everyone loved it!
Mar 19, 2011
SARA'S GREAT MAC AND CHEESE by: Carol
This mac and cheese tastes awesome!! I loved it !!! it's the best!!!!!
Mar 19, 2011
Two thumbs up! by: Lora
Absolutely delicious! Eat alot of pasta dishes and always looking for something different. Saw the picture and after reading the ingredients,it sounded like a dish I wanted to try. Have to admit I was a little nervous, I enjoy food with a little kick, but not really into super spicy so I only put in 1/4 tsp of the cayenne and a dash of the chili powder. Got to say, it was 1 of the best dishes I've eaten in a long time. I will definetly make this again and will recommend it to some friends.
Mar 19, 2011
Incredible! by: Amanda
This recipe is so delicious! It was quick and easy! Absolutely LOVE it!
Mar 19, 2011
Yum. by: Maggie
Right on.
I know what I am making for dinner tonight. This looks amazing.
Mar 19, 2011
Yummy by: Helen
The picture looks very yummy. Have to get the makings for next week lunch.
Mar 19, 2011
This looks delicious! by: Anonymous
I will definitely have to make this! It looks delicious. Great flavor combinations.