Cajun Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food featuring al dente macaroni, spicy andouille sausage, pepper jack cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese for a delicious recipe the whole family will love.
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If you’re looking for an easy and delicious one-pot recipe for mac and cheese, this is it!
With cooked macaroni, smoked sausage, bell peppers, green onions, and Cajun spices, you can make one of the best Cajun mac and cheese recipes out there!
🧂 Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
🔪 Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Add the olive oil and heat to medium-high to skillet or Dutch oven. Cook the sausage, bell peppers, and onion until the vegetables are tender.
- Remove everything from the pot and wipe down to remove excess grease.
- Cook the garlic in butter, then add the flour for the start of the roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add your milk, whisking well, and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add the Cajun spices.
- Mix roughly 1 ½ cups of each cheese until melted completely.
- Transfer the cooked pasta and the sausage mixture into the cheese sauce.
- Smooth the top of the mac and cheese and add the remaining cheese.
- Put the Dutch Oven into the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 400F, or until the cheese melts on the top and turns golden brown and the edges bubble.
🥄Equipment
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In addition to a liquid measuring cup, measuring spoons, and dry measuring cups, here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:
- large Dutch oven
- large skillet (optional)
- cutting board and knife for prepping the vegetables and sausage
- whisk
For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.
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🍲 Storage
To Store: Leftover Cajun Mac and Cheese should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30 second intervals until heated throughout.
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Here's how to make your own Cajun seasoning mix. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and gently mix together. Store in an airtight jar or other container.
- 2 tbsp. paprika
- 2 tbsp. garlic powder
- 2 tbsp. dried oregano
- 1 tbsp. kosher salt
- 1 tbsp. onion powder
- 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp. cayenne pepper
📖 Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the pasta recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
If you're not a fan of sausage, substitute shredded chicken for a delicious Cajun chicken mac and cheese.
For an extra creamy Cajun mac, add a tablespoon or two of sour cream to the cheese sauce, or substitute half the milk with heavy cream.
If the pepper jack is too spicy for you, substitute it with monterey jack cheese instead.
You can customize this recipe by adding a dash of hot sauce or bread crumbs on top - whatever your unique taste buds want!
Out of something you need? Check out our free ingredient substitutions printable!
🍴 Serving Suggestions
This mac and cheese with spicy smoked pork sausage is a whole one-pot meal, but I love my carbs so I like to serve something to soap up the extra cheese sauce!
Try our breadsticks or focaccia - you could make either of these recipes with Cajun seasoning instead of the seasoning called for in the recipe.
This meal is also amazing with Texas Roadhouse rolls and cinnamon butter.
To balance out the richness of this cheesy pasta dish, you could also serve it with a light side salad and something like lemon vinaigrette or even our pomegranate vinaigrette for a bright flavor to counterbalance the pasta.
😋 Similar Recipes
I adore mac and cheese and love making different variations. Next time you're in the mood for some cheesy pasta, try one of these delicious recipes:
- ranch mac and cheese
- jalapeno bacon mac and cheese
- pulled pork mac and cheese (perfect for using up leftover pulled pork)
- instant pot mac and cheese
- buffalo chicken mac and cheese (easy crockpot recipe!)
- basil mac and cheese
Related: sausage mac and cheese
Not ready to make this Cajun Mac and Cheese recipe yet?
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Cajun Mac and Cheese
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounce package elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 ounce package Cajun or andouille sausage cubed
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 white or yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 8 ounce block cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- 8 ounce block pepper jack cheese shredded and divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F degrees.
- Fill a Dutch Oven with salted water and boil over high heat.
- Add your elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. Follow the package directions.16 ounce package elbow macaroni
- Drain your macaroni and set aside.
- Return the empty Dutch Oven to the stove.
- Add the olive oil and heat to medium-high heat.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the sausage, bell peppers, and onion to the Dutch Oven.16 ounce package Cajun or andouille sausage, 1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 1 white or yellow onion
- Cook and stir frequently for 6-8 minutes or until tender.
- Remove everything from the pot and wipe down to remove excess grease.
- Reduce to medium heat.
- Add in the butter and garlic and cook 1-2 minutes.6 tablespoons salted butter, 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- Slowly add your milk, whisking well, and cook until the sauce thickens.4 cups milk
- Add the cajun spices.2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- Mix roughly 1 ½ cups of each cheese until melted completely.8 ounce block cheddar cheese, 8 ounce block pepper jack cheese
- Add the macaroni, sausage, and vegetables to your cheese sauce and stir until everything is well combined.
- Smooth the top of the mac and cheese and add the remaining cheese. If you prefer, you can move everything to a casserole dish before topping it with cheese.8 ounce block pepper jack cheese, 8 ounce block cheddar cheese
- Put the Dutch Oven into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts on the top and the edges bubble. It should be golden brown.
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