Description
Pepper Jack and Black Bean Mac & Cheese delivers a spicy southwestern twist on classic comfort cuisine. Rich cheese sauce mingles with hearty black beans, creating a zesty pasta experience that satisfies cravings and delights taste buds in one delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 14 ounces (396 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 12 ounces (340 grams) elbow macaroni
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 handful white corn tortilla chips, crushed
- 1 pat butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Immerse elbow pasta in well-salted water, cooking until perfectly tender according to package guidelines. Drain thoroughly and coat with unsalted butter to prevent clumping.
- Activate the oven to 400°F (204°C) and generously lubricate a 10-inch round casserole or 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray or butter.
- Establish a creamy base by melting butter in a large saucepan over medium-low temperature. Incorporate flour and cook, whisking continuously for approximately 3 minutes to develop a nutty roux.
- Gradually introduce milk and mustard, incrementally elevating heat until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, stirring consistently for 4-5 minutes to ensure smooth integration.
- Reduce heat and melt pepper jack and cheddar cheeses into the sauce, reserving ½ cup for final topping. Stir until completely smooth and uniform, seasoning with salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Tenderly incorporate drained black beans into the cheese sauce, gently folding to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
- Combine prepared pasta with cheese and bean mixture, ensuring complete and thorough coating of noodles.
- Transfer the creamy pasta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a consistent layer.
- Sprinkle reserved cheese across the top, scatter crushed tortilla chips for added crunch, and dot with small butter segments for extra richness.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, watching for a golden, bubbling surface that signals perfect doneness.
- Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from oven, enabling the sauce to set and flavors to harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Elevate your mac and cheese game with this spicy southwestern twist that transforms a classic comfort food.
- Pepper jack cheese brings a fiery kick, while black beans add hearty protein and unexpected texture to this creamy pasta.
- Crushed tortilla chips create a crunchy golden topping that provides irresistible contrast to the melted cheese underneath.
- Preparing this dish requires standard kitchen skills and takes under an hour from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even more delicious the next day as flavors continue to meld and develop.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 426 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 61mg