Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese
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Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese
This Grown-Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese is bringing the heat—and the comfort. Creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection, it’s loaded with bold jerk spices for a smoky kick that takes classic mac to a whole new level. Think cozy meets Caribbean, with just the right amount of edge. Perfect for dinner, cookouts, or when you’re craving something a little extra. Gluten-free + Dairy-free Option.
Creamy, cheesy, and all-around comforting... Mac and cheese is one of those dishes that will always have my heart. As a Southern girl, I’ve got a whole collection of mac and cheese recipes here, but this time, I decided to add a little twist by bringing in some of my Jamaican roots. Say hello to Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese!
It’s the perfect blend of gooey, cheesy goodness and the bold, smoky flavors of jerk seasoning. This dish is all about mixing that classic comfort with a spicy, flavorful kick. Whether you're craving something a little different or just love a good mac and cheese, this one’s a winner!
If you're on the hunt for everything mac and cheese, I've got you covered! From the Smoked Baked Mac + Cheese Rigatoni, Easy Vegan Pumpkin Mac + Cheese and Baked Vegan Buffalo Mac + Cheese to the Easy KFC Mac + Cheese Bowl [Copycat] and, of course, my newest addition Southern Baked Gnocchi Mac + Cheese definitely give them a try next!
Jump to:
- Why Should You Make Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese?
- Jerk Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- Tips + Tricks For Ultra Delicious Mac + Cheese!
- Best Types of Cheese for this Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese
- What Can I Add to This Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese?
- Adding More Protein
- What To Eat + Serve Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese?
- Grown-Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese Q + A's
- More Of My Favorite Mac + Cheese Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese
Why Should You Make Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese?
- It’s absolutely deliciously spicy while being creamy + velvety!
- The perfect side or main meal
- Cheesy & crispy
- Bold Jerk flavor that will tantalize your taste buds.
- Easy weeknight meal--Simple preparation + minimal ingredients
- A crowd-pleasing combination that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Jerk Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese:
MAC + CHEESE:
- Butter. For buttering the baking dish.
- Elbow noodles. Uncooked (You can also use macaroni shells if desired)
- Pasta water. Be sure to keep the pasta water once boiled.
- Almond milk. You can use your fave plant-based milk or regular cow's milk.
- Heavy cream. For the creamy cheesy sauce.
- Eggs. Large ones.
- Jerk dry rub seasoning. Homemade is best; see below on how to make your own in 5 minutes. However, if you're in a pinch, you can use a store-bought one.
- Smoked paprika.
- Sea salt.
- Cheese. Freshly shredded is best. Gouda cheese, sharp cheddar cheese + mozzarella cheese.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!
Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese recipe. Everything from my fave cast iron pans, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Tips + Tricks For Ultra Delicious Mac + Cheese!
- Avoid pre-shredded cheeses---Opt for shredding your own cheese instead of relying on pre-shredded varieties from the store. Pre-shredded cheese often contains preservatives and might not melt as smoothly as freshly shredded cheese.
- Invest in good-quality ingredients--- They can truly elevate the dish! Particularly, opt for high-quality cheese. Using premium ingredients can take your dish from good to gourmet, making a noticeable difference in the final taste.
- Cook your pasta 'al dente' for that ideal texture--- It'll continue cooking a bit in the oven, so avoid overcooking it initially.
Best Types of Cheese for this Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese
Even though this Smoked Baked Mac + Cheese is based on using Gouda + sharp cheddar you can also switch things up and add a new flare to its flavor profile by adding any of the following grated cheeses:
- Fontina
- Monterey Jack
- Mozzarella
- American cheese
- Havarti
- Parmesan cheese
What Can I Add to This Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese?
I like to add some extra texture to creamy dishes like this Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese recipe. While the ingredients in this creamy dish are perfect as is, I wanted to share a few more ideas of ingredients that you can add in case you make this recipe more than once and want to switch things up!
Other ingredient ideas include:
- Kale or spinach
- Candied bacon
- Broccolini or broccoli
- Crispy sage leaves
- Mushrooms
- Herb roasted tomatoes
- Roasted chickpeas
- Beans (White beans, etc.)
- Top with homemade croutons for a nice crunch
- Seafood (like shrimp, salmon, lobster, etc.)
- Sausage or beef
- Shredded chicken
- Panko breadcrumbs
Adding More Protein
If you'd like to add protein to this smoky mac + cheese, it's easy to do, regardless of your diet!
PLANT-BASED PROTEIN OPTIONS:
- Crispy seared or baked tofu cubes
- Roasted chickpeas
- Crumbled stir-fried seitan
- Crumble vegan bacon on top
- Sautéed cauliflower florets or broccoli
- Sautéed asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.
MEAT-BASED PROTEIN OPTIONS:
If you're a seafood lover, feel free to swap out the chicken for these delightful options!
- Shredded chicken or baked chicken
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Bacon
- Lobster
- Steak
- Fish (fried, grilled, baked, etc.)
What To Eat + Serve Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese?
When it comes to most pasta dishes (including this Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese dish), I often enjoy them with a side of bread of some sort. Most times, I make my own homemade Garlic Bread, however, you can choose to spruce things up with many other options such as:
- A delicious salad-- Try this Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas or Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad
- A steak or lamb dinner.
- Alongside a classic tomato soup
- Grilled veggies
- Crispy chicken wings
- Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- Serve as part of a table spread!
Here's the thing. This jerk mac and cheese recipe is so delicious and flavorful that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the tender pasta + cheesy creamy jerk sauce with the crispy golden topping is everything! So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
Grown-Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese Q + A's
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat, simply heat in the oven for the best results or microwave for a minute or two until heated through.
Yes! To make this Mac + Cheese vegan, simply substitute cheeses with dairy-free shreds, ensure that you use plant-based milk, and use vegan butter. Also, check out my Vegan Mac + Cheese recipe.
Absolutely! Just reduce the amount of jerk seasoning or use a mild version. You’ll still get all the flavor without as much heat.
Yes! Prep it up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate. When ready, just bake as directed (you may need a few extra minutes).
More Of My Favorite Mac + Cheese Recipes
If you are a fan of this Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese recipe then you will also love these cheesy recipes for the entire family:
- Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
- Easy KFC Mac + Cheese Bowl
- The BEST Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
- Stovetop Southern Mac and Cheese
- Easy Vegan Pumpkin Mac + Cheese
- Baked Vegan Buffalo Mac + Cheese
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Grown Up Baked Jerk Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
MAC + CHEESE:
- 1 tablespoon butter, for buttering
- 8 oz. elbow noodles, uncooked (You can also use macaroni shells if desired)
- 4 cups pasta water (Be sure to keep past water once boiled)
- 1 cup Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk or regular cow's milk)
- 1 cup organic heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsps Jerk Dry Rub Seasoning + ½ teaspoon for garnish
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gouda cheese (save 1 cup of cheese for topping)
- 1 cup shredded Sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
BOIL THE PASTA:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add shells or elbow pasta and cook according to packaging. Once cooked, drain some water leaving 4 cups for later, and lightly toss in olive oil (to prevent sticking together), cool and set aside.
MIX TOGETHER FILLING INGREDIENTS:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and and grease a standard 9x13 baking dish with butter.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and heavy cream until combined. Add the jerk seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt, whisking again to combine.
- Add the cooked noodles, pasta water, and cheeses, stirring together with a wooden spoon or spatula until combined and pasta is coated. NOTE: The mixture will look really "liquid-y", however, it creates a beautiful gooeyness once baked.
- Pour the macaroni-cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with remaining gouda cheese, evenly spreading it out. Now sprinkle ½ teaspoon of jerk seasoning atop the cheese.
- Bake on the center rack for 35-40 minutes or until the tops are golden brown, the sides are bubbly, and the mac and cheese center has set. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly and enjoy!
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat, simply heat in the oven for the best results or microwave for a minute or two until heated through.
- MAKE AHEAD: See FAQ section for details!
- CLASSIC SOUTHERN BAKED MAC AND CHEESE: To try a more classic recipe, try my Southern Baked Mac + Cheese recipe.
Nutrition
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