This pimento Mac and cheese is layered with 3 different types of cheese’s, pimento peppers, herb panko bread crumbs, and cheese…LOTS OF CHEESE. This recipe is freaking delicious and oh so very simple. This recipe is the perfect for easy dinner at home, get together and or thanksgiving!
The best part of this recipe aside from how easy and delicious it is, this recipe requires NO ROUX, which makes this gluten free!! Check out my notes below on some healthier options for this recipe.
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Pimento Mac & Cheese with Toasty Herb Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 2 cups cavatappi pasta or any pasta of choice
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup pepper jack cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- ½ cup half & half
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 med onion finely chopped
- 1 4oz pimento pepper * see notes
- 1 med jalapeno finely chopped
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt to taste
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Herb Breadcrumbs
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tsp chopped parsley
- ½ tsp finely minced rosemary
- 2 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Once pasta is al dente, drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat butter over medium/high heat. Add in onions, pimento peppers and jalapenos. Cook for 3-4 mins until onions are a bit translucent.
- Next add all the seasoning/spices, give everything a good stir and mix all the spices together in with the onions, jalapenos and pimento peppers.
- Add the half and half, cream cheese and milk, followed by both the grated cheese’s. Lower the to med/low and stir until cheese is melted. Once cheese is melted turn off stove and add in the cooked pasta.
- Transfer pasta into a baking dish, cover with foil and bake for 15 mins at 350°F.
- Take Mac and cheese out of the oven and sprinkle on the breadcrumbs and serve! Enjoy
Herb Breadcrumbs
- In a baking pan mix together the breadcrumbs, herbs and oil. Place in the oven under broil on high for 1-2 mins until bread crumbs are nice and toasty. Once they are toasted, set aside.
Notes
- I used only half of the pasta box for this recipe, feel free to double the recipe for a full box of pasta.
- Pimento peppers can be found in the same aisle as the pickles and pickled jalapeños. You only need a small jar of this.
