Spaghetti Mac And Cheese New Orleans
When it comes to comfort food, few things compare to a bowl of creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. Now imagine taking that classic dish and adding a New Orleans twist by incorporating spaghetti and spices. That's exactly what you get with Spaghetti Mac and Cheese New Orleans.
What Is Spaghetti Mac And Cheese New Orleans?
Spaghetti Mac and Cheese New Orleans is a unique twist on the classic mac and cheese. It's a dish that combines spaghetti noodles, a creamy cheese sauce, and a blend of spices to create a flavorful and filling meal. This dish is a popular comfort food in the New Orleans area and is often served as a side at family gatherings and holiday meals.
Ingredients
The ingredients for Spaghetti Mac and Cheese New Orleans are fairly simple and can be found at most grocery stores. Here's what you'll need:
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients, it's time to start cooking!
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package directions and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth.
- Slowly add in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add in the shredded cheddar cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.
- Pour the spaghetti mac and cheese into a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Variations
While the classic Spaghetti Mac and Cheese New Orleans recipe is delicious on its own, there are a few ways you can customize it to suit your taste.
- Spice it up: If you like things spicy, try adding more cayenne pepper or even some hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Add some meat: For a heartier meal, add some cooked ground beef or sausage to the spaghetti and cheese sauce before baking.
- Try different cheeses: While cheddar cheese is the traditional choice, you can experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella, pepper jack, or gouda.
- Make it vegetarian: If you're vegetarian, simply leave out the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth in the cheese sauce.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a comforting and delicious meal, Spaghetti Mac and Cheese New Orleans is definitely worth a try. With its creamy cheese sauce and flavorful spices, it's sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection. Plus, it's easy to customize to suit your taste preferences, making it a versatile dish that you can enjoy time and time again.