This baked Cajun Mac and Cheese is kicked up a bit with cajun seasoning. It’s hard to beat the warm comfort food that macaroni and cheese brings. The whole family will be coming back for seconds!
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Check out my Low Calorie Mac And Cheese and my Low Calorie Fried Rice for more delicious dinner recipes!
This baked Cajun mac and cheese is sure to please macaroni and cheese lovers who like their food a little on the spicy side. It's rich, it's creamy and it's super flavorful. This delicious spin to the classic dish will surely be your new favorite!
Upgrade from classic to cajun with this flavorful macaroni and cheese recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's creamy, cheesy and decadent.
- A comforting classic for weeknight dinner.
- It's the perfect blend of spices and flavors.
- Spicy, flavorful and so easy to make.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Elbow Noodles: I use traditional elbow noodles, but you can use any type of pasta.
- Milk: I use skim milk.
- Greek Yogurt: You can also use half and half, but it will add more calories.
- Eggs: Makes the mac and cheese smooth and creamier.
- Paprika: Compliments the flavor of the cheese.
- Dried Basil: Adds extra flavor.
- Cajun Seasoning: You can make your own or use store bought.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
- Cheese: I use a mix of reduced fat Colby Jack and Cheddar Jack.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the elbow noodles according to package directions.
Step 3: While the noodles are cooking, whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt and eggs until well combined.
Step 4: Beat in the paprika, 2 teaspoon of the basil, 2 teaspoons of the cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste.
Step 5: Once the noodles are cooked, do not strain and add immediately into the milk mixture. Add 4 cups of the cheese and stir to coat the noodles in the cheese-milk mixture.
Step 6: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of cheese and follow with the remaining 1 teaspoon each of basil and cajun seasoning.
Step 7: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is completely melted.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Since cheese is the main ingredient in this recipe, it's important to use a good quality cheese. Mixed shredded Colby Jack and Cheddar Jack cheesse are perfect for this recipe, but you can also experiment with other types of cheese to find your favorite combination.
- Make sure to cook the elbow noodles al dente, or slightly firm to the bite, since they will continue to cook in the oven. Overcooking the noodles can result in a mushy mac and cheese.
- The paprika, dried basil, and Cajun seasoning add a lot of flavor to this dish. Make sure to evenly distribute the spices throughout.
- You can add toppings to your Cajun mac and cheese to enhance the flavor even more. Some popular toppings include crispy bacon, green onions, diced tomatoes, and breadcrumbs.
- If you're feeding a crowd or want leftovers, double the recipe and bake it in a larger baking dish. Leftover Cajun mac and cheese can be reheated in the microwave or oven for a quick and easy meal.
Variations
- Add meat: You can add cooked and diced chicken, shrimp, or sausage to the mac and cheese to make it heartier and more filling.
- Make it spicy: If you like your food spicy, add more Cajun seasoning or some diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the mixture.
- Use different pasta: Instead of elbow noodles, you can use other types of pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
- Mix up the cheeses: While Colby Jack and Cheddar Jack are great choices for this recipe, you can experiment with other types of cheese, such Gouda, or Parmesan.
- Add veggies: You can add vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or roasted red peppers to the mac and cheese to add some extra nutrition and flavor.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Allow to cool, then place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQ's
The heat level in this recipe is up to you. Add more or less cajun seasoning depending on how spicy you want this dish to be.
To make a homemade cajun seasoning blend mix the following seasonings together: 1 ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon chili powder.
More Dinner Recipes
Cajun Mac And Cheese
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups elbow noodles
- 1 ½ cups skim milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried basil divided
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups reduced-fat shredded Colby Jack divided
- 3 cups reduced-fat Cheddar Jack cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- Cook the elbow noodles according to package directions.
- While the noodles are cooking, whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt and eggs until well combined.
- Beat in the paprika, 2 teaspoon of the basil, 2 teaspoons of the cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste.
- Once the noodles are cooked, do not strain and add immediately into the milk mixture. Add 4 cups of the cheese and stir to coat the noodles in the cheese-milk mixture.
- Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of cheese and follow with the remaining 1 teaspoon each of basil and cajun seasoning.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is completely melted.
Notes
- Since cheese is the main ingredient in this recipe, it's important to use a good quality cheese. Mix shredded Colby Jack and Cheddar Jack cheese are perfect for this recipe, but you can also experiment with other types of cheese to find your favorite combination.
- Make sure to cook the elbow noodles al dente, or slightly firm to the bite, since they will continue to cook in the oven. Overcooking the noodles can result in a mushy mac and cheese.
- The paprika, dried basil, and Cajun seasoning add a lot of flavor to this dish. Make sure to evenly distribute the spices throughout.
- You can add toppings to your Cajun mac and cheese to enhance the flavor even more. Some popular toppings include crispy bacon, green onions, diced tomatoes, and breadcrumbs.
- If you're feeding a crowd or want leftovers, double the recipe and bake it in a larger baking dish. Leftover Cajun mac and cheese can be reheated in the microwave or oven for a quick and easy meal.
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Allow to cool, then place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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