Leave that box of Kraft Mac & Cheese in the cupboard where it belongs because I have an awesome and easy recipe that your kids are sure to love.

I stumbled upon this recipe by complete accident. I have always made homemade mac & cheese but there was always something missing that I couldn’t quite put my finger on and last night I found the missing ingredient… PEPPERJACK CHEESE.

I always used a blend of Sharp Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, and Mozzarella cheeses. But I decided to switch it up when I stopped at my favorite local grocer, Cattle & Cream, and grabbed a bag of Pepper Jack cheese and boy am I glad I did.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Eight oz bag of Sharp Cheddar
  • 1 Eight oz bag of Colby Jack
  • 1 Eight oz bag of Monterey Jack
  • 1 Eight oz bag of Mozzarella
  • 1 Eight oz Bag of Pepperjack
  • 1 cup of Butter
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp of Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp of Paprika
  • 1 box of elbow noodles
  • 16 oz carton of Heavy Whipping Cream

 

Preparation: Grab a huge bowl and mix your cheeses together. 2 cups of Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Sharp cheddar. I used the whole bag of PepperJack cheese for this recipe.

  • Step ONE: Melt your butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat. (Side Note: This cheese sauce is like a needy girlfriend so you’ll have to keep an eye on it at all times throughout this cooking process so it doesn’t burn.)
  • Once your butter has melted, slowly pour in the heavy cream, I use about half of the carton to start and leave the other half in case your sauce is too thick.
  • Step TWO: After pouring half of the whipping cream into the saucepan and letting it simmer, you want to slowly start to add your cheeses.
  • I literally just take small handfuls to start and sprinkle it in with the heavy cream while constantly stirring. You will repeat this as the cheese sauce thickens. As you’re adding in the cheeses, you can always add in, little by little, more heavy cream.
  • Step THREE: Once all the cheeses have melted, reduce to low heat, and let simmer. Don’t forget to stir!
  • Step FOUR: I won’t tell you how to boil your noodles because that is self-explanatory but after your noodles are cooked, pour the sauce in little by little and Bon Appetite!