Buffalo Mac and Cheese

This dump-and-bake mac and cheese is a comfort food lovers dream with the best of two worlds. Spicy, cheesy, creamy and just plain delicious! Quick prep, hands-off cooking, and ready to eat in just about one hour.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine North American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Resting Time 10

Total Time 1 5

Servings as a side

Calories 719kcal

Author Emmeline Kemperyd

Equipment

Measuring spoons*
Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Cheese grater*
Oven dish - round 6x2 inches (4 cups)/or 15x5 cm (1 liter) or similar size in another shape

Ingredients

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or other creamy, well-melting cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup Frank's RedHot sauce or Cholula, Louisiana Hot Sauce, or a similar type of hot sauce; use less for a less spicy version
1.5 cup macaroni pasta or gluten-free / 100% corn macaroni
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup milk
½ cup crumbled blue cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 °F
Bring out a round oven dish that's about 6x2 inches (15x5 cm) or a different shape but similar in size. Place the mozzarella cheese in the dish along with garlic powder and black pepper, and mix well.
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Add hot sauce and mix well.
½ cup Frank's RedHot sauce
Add macaroni pasta and mix again. Then use a spoon to even out the surface.
1.5 cup macaroni pasta
Pour in the cream and milk, then use a spoon to ensure all pieces of macaroni and cheese are submerged.
1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup milk
Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes, then remove from the oven and mix gently. Raise the heat to 400°F (200°C) and place the pan back in the oven for 15 more minutes.
Remove from the oven, top with crumbled blue cheese, and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
½ cup crumbled blue cheese

Notes

What to Do with Leftovers

Storing: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing: Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that the consistency will not be the same, and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating in the oven: Cover with aluminum foil and reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, until heated through.

Reheating in the microwave: Reheat individual servings in the microwave in 30-second increments. If it looks dry, add a dash of milk or cream before reheating.

Why is my Mac and Cheese grainy?

If your mac and cheese turns out grainy, you have probably used pre-shredded cheese. While a pre-shredded cheese that is 100% pure cheese might work, most kinds included anti-caking additives that keep it from melting smoothly.

Nutrition