Mac and cheese just got a glow-up. And this one’s bringing the heat! Meet Chili Crisp Potato Mac-n-Cheese. It’s warm, spicy, cheesy, and wildly comforting. So let’s dive in.
What’s Spicy Chili Crisp Anyway?
Spicy Chili Crisp is the condiment you didn’t know you needed. It’s a jar of pure magic, loaded with crispy garlic bits and red chili flakes. In addition, it features a savory, umami-packed oil that tastes like a hug from your most dramatic foodie friend. Sprinkle it on everything—eggs, noodles, ice cream (yes, some people go there). In this mac-n-cheese, it’s the star topping, adding heat and crunch that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Lo Gan Ma is my favorite brand. However, you can also make your own at home.
Potatoes in Mac-n-Cheese? Yes, and Here’s Why
The secret to this dish’s silky texture? Potatoes. But not just any potatoes. Boil them whole, skins on, like they’re VIPs at a spa retreat. Then, press them through a ricer. Consequently, it’s like giving them a Michelin-star treatment before they join the bechamel. As a result, this step adds a velvety body to the sauce without making things overly starchy. Fancy, right?
Pepper Jack Cheese FTW in this Chili Crisp Potato Mac-n-Cheese
Bechamel gets a spicy sidekick in this recipe. Enter Pepper Jack cheese. It melts like a dream and brings just the right amount of kick. Heavy cream makes the sauce decadent. However, feel free to swap in half and half or whole milk if you’re trying to balance indulgence with, well, pants that still fit.
Playful Pasta Shapes = Happy Plates
Trompetto pasta brings the fun here, but you can’t go wrong with other whimsical shapes. For example, try cavatappi, campanelle, or even good old elbows if you’re feeling nostalgic. The twistier, the better. More nooks for the sauce to snuggle into.
Why You’ll Love It
This Chili Crisp Potato Mac-n-Cheese is spicy, creamy, and ridiculously cozy. Perfect for cold nights when you need a hug in a bowl. And the crunch of chili crisp on top? Absolute chef’s kiss. Make it. Love it. Repeat.
Chili Crisp Potato Mac-n-Cheese
Ingredients
- 1+ 3/4 lbs white potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 oz pasta
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 white onion
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 1/3 cup chili crisp plus some for garnish
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 scallions
Instructions
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Boil the potatoes with skins on in salted water until soft. (about 25 minutes).
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Drain and when cool enough to handle, peel and press them through a potato ricer.
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Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente.
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Drain (reserve 1 cup of pasta water)
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Peel and dice the onions.
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Preheat the oven to 400F. Grease a casserole dish.
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Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet.
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Add the onions and cook until they start to caramelize.
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Add the cream and bring to a boil.
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Add 2+3/4 cups cheese and stir until a sauce forms.
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Mix in the potato.
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Mix in the chili crisp
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Season with salt and pepper.
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Add the pasta water and cook until combined
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Mix in the pasta.
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Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish.
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Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top.
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Bake for 25 minutes until a golden brown crust forms.
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Remove from oven. Let stand for 10 minutes.
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Chop the scallions into rings and garnish the dish with scallions and chili crisp before serving
So, do you like this Chili Crisp Potato Mac-n-Cheese? Also, check out some of these other delicious recipes:
PRESERVED LEMON DILL MAC-N-CHEESE
CHILI CRISP PEANUT MEATBALLS
MARINATED RED CABBAGE CARROT SALAD WITH PECANS & VANILLA
