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Side view of a casserole dish featuring bubbling, golden-brown Cajun mac and cheese fresh from the oven.

Cajun Mac And Cheese

Prep Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cajun Mac and Cheese combines smoky Andouille sausage, creamy cheese sauce, and a hint of spice for a bold, comforting twist on a classic dish.
8 Servings

Ingredients

  • 4 quarts water
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • 1 16-ounce package large elbow pasta
  • 1/2 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/2 16-ounce package Andouille sausage, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion from 1 small onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper from 1 small bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper from 1 small bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic from 1 medium garlic clove
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning such as Slap Ya Mama
  • 1 8-ounce block medium Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 1 8-ounce block pepper jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Pasta:

  1. Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large Dutch oven, bring 4 quarts of water and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the elbow pasta and cook for 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Cook the Sausage and Vegetables:

  1. Heat the canola oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped Andouille sausage, yellow onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Sauté the mixture, stirring frequently, for approximately 8 minutes, or until the sausage begins to brown and the vegetables are tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Remove the mixture from the skillet and set it aside. Wipe the skillet clean.

Prepare the Cheese Sauce:

  1. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Slowly incorporate the milk while whisking, ensuring a smooth consistency. Increase the heat to medium and cook the mixture, whisking occasionally, until it thickens and begins to simmer, approximately 14–16 minutes. Stir in the Cajun seasoning and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Remove the skillet from the heat and gradually mix in the shredded Cheddar and pepper jack cheeses until the sauce is smooth.

Combine Ingredients:

  1. Gently fold the cooked pasta and the sausage-vegetable mixture into the cheese sauce, ensuring all components are evenly coated.

Bake the Mac and Cheese:

  1. Transfer the combined mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. For a crispy topping, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 3–5 minutes, keeping a close watch to prevent burning.

Notes

To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the elbow pasta with a gluten-free alternative and use a gluten-free flour blend for the roux. Additionally, ensure that the Cajun seasoning and Andouille sausage are certified gluten-free. Adjust cooking times for the gluten-free pasta as needed.
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