Shreya's Kitchen
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

Trending Searches

korean
under 20
dessert
noodles
lunch
dinner
tiktok pasta
easy
king oyster mushroom skewers featured image Appetizers

King Oyster Mushroom Skewers

vegetarian smash burger Main Courses

Vegetarian Smash Burger (With Oyster Mushrooms)

featured image Main Courses

Vegetarian Lemon Pepper Wings (With Oyster Mushrooms)

Categories

  • All Recipes
  • Recipe filter
  • Main Courses
  • Appetizers
  • Sides
  • Drinks
  • Snacks
  • Desserts
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten Free
king oyster mushroom skewers featured image Appetizers

King Oyster Mushroom Skewers

vegetarian smash burger Main Courses

Vegetarian Smash Burger (With Oyster Mushrooms)

featured image Main Courses

Vegetarian Lemon Pepper Wings (With Oyster Mushrooms)

Pinterest

Email

copy url

Print

Recipes > Comfort Food > The Best Mac n Cheese
VG

Pinterest

Email

copy url

Print

The Best Mac n Cheese

Mac n cheese has to be the ultimate comfort meal. It’s so rich, creamy, and unbelievably satisfying. There’s so many different ways to make such a simple dish, but my favorite way of making it lately has been seasoning it with Frank’s Red Hot and some cajun seasoning. It adds the perfect hint of spiciness…

 

Recipe by:

Shreya’s Kitchen

February 13, 2022
April 12, 2025
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Mac n cheese has to be the ultimate comfort meal. It’s so rich, creamy, and unbelievably satisfying. There’s so many different ways to make such a simple dish, but my favorite way of making it lately has been seasoning it with Frank’s Red Hot and some cajun seasoning. It adds the perfect hint of spiciness and tanginess without making the dish spicy overall. I’ve also switched out the classic cheddar and gruyere combo with a Mexican Four Cheese blend from Tillamook and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to Mac n Cheese another way again.

best mac and cheese 1

Breakdown of the Ingredients

  • Macaroni
  • Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
  • Cajun Seasoning
  • Milk 
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Butter
  • Tillamook Mexican Four Cheese Blend
  • Pasta Water
  • Chopped Shallots

The ingredients here are pretty simple, but I wanted to go over some basics and also talk about some substitutes. As far as the pasta you use, of course macaroni is what’s typically used in mac n cheese, but you can really substitute in any shape of pasta – I’ve also tried this with penne for example and it gives the mac n cheese a little bit of an elevated look.

Seasoning

For the seasoning I love using cajun seasoning! The one I use is from the Kroger brand at Fred Meyer and I absolutely love it. It includes chili powders, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt – all ingredients I’d end up using separately for mac n cheese any ways – so this really just makes life a lot easier.

Cheese

I’ve seen so many recipes where people insist on grating their own cheese but I swear I absolutely cannot tell the difference, especially with a good quality cheese like from Tillamook (not sponsored by the way lol I just really like their cheese). Usually for mac n cheese people use sharp cheddar and gruyere or even mozzarella, but I’ve really enjoyed using a Mexican four cheese blend (which also includes cheddar by the way).

best mac and cheese 2

Keys to Success

  • Make sure not to add too much salt! The cajun seasoning I used here has salt in it already, and the dish will already be salted from the cheese and butter as well. So I didn’t end up adding an extra.
  • Save your pasta water! Milk adds a really nice richness and creaminess to your mac n cheese, but don’t underestimate the power of pasta water. When you’re boiling your macaroni, scoop out a cup of the water before you drain the pasta and add it to your sauce. The starchiness in the water will make the cheese sauce super silky and creamy.
best mac and cheese 3

Other Recipes You’ll Love

  • Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
  • Spicy Quesadilla
  • Vegan Poutine
VG
(4)

Mac n Cheese

The best, creamiest, richest mac n cheese you'll ever try!
pin recipe Print recipe

Ingredients

  • 1.5 c Macaroni
  • 1 tbsp Frank's Red Hot Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
  • 1 1/3 c Milk (whole milk is preferred or half and half, but I've tried this even with oatmilk and it's still fantastic!)
  • 2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
  • ~3.5 oz Butter (almost a full stick of butter)
  • 3.5 c Tillamook Mexican Four Cheese Blend (tightly packed; 3 cups for the sauce; 1/2 c for the topping)
  • 1 c Pasta Water
  • 1/4 c Chopped Shallots

Instructions

  • Start by melting your butter on a medium-low heat.
  • Add in your chopped shallots, and sauté for about a minute.
  • Gently whisk in your all purpose flour and mix well.
  • Add in your milk and cheese, and mix everything together. Make sure the heat is kept on low to medium. You don't want it to be too hot!
  • Once the cheese has dissolved, you can add in your cajun seasoning and Frank's Red Hot.
  • Cook your macaroni according to package instructions but subtract a couple of minutes from the cook time.
  • Mix your cooked macaroni with your cheese sauce and pour the mixture into a baking dish.
  • Add the remaining cheese on top of your mac n cheese and broil for about 2-3 minutes in the oven until the top is nice and crispy.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword cheesecake, mac, mac n cheese, macaroni, macaroni and cheese

Hi! I’m Shreya!

Welcome to Shreya’s Kitchen! Here, I whip up delicious vegetarian dishes that are both indulgent and healthy.

about me

CONNECT WITH ME

Pin This Recipe

Most Popular

  • Harry potter butter beer
    Christmas Recipes
    Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe
  • featured image
    Comfort Food
    Apple Crumble (Single Serving)
  • featured image of vegetarian wings
    Comfort Food
    Sticky Soy Hot Honey Wings (Vegetarian)
see recipes

Still Hungry?

Join our subscriber community for
exclusive updates, recipes and more.

Loading

Shop With Me

shop all

Rate & Review

5 from 4 votes

What did you think of this recipe? Cancel reply






  1. Sandy
    01.04.2024

    Is the 1.5C measurement of pasta that it calls for in the recipe cooked or uncooked?

    Reply

  2. Romero
    10.18.2024

    5 stars
    The mexican four cheese blend is a vibe

    Reply

  3. Sydney Stubbs
    10.19.2024

    I made this for dinner last night! This mac and cheese is the perfect twist on a classic comfort food. The cheese sauce is so rich and creamy. The sautéed shallots add a little sweetness, and the crispy cheese on top after broiling just makes it soooo delicious. Super easy to throw together and super satisfying. Definitely a recipe you’ll want to keep handy when you’re craving something cozy!

    Reply

  4. Sydney stubbs
    10.19.2024

    5 stars
    This mac and cheese is the perfect twist on a classic comfort food. The cheese sauce is so rich and creamy. The sautéed shallots add a little sweetness, and the crispy cheese on top after broiling just makes it soooo delicious. Super easy to throw together and super satisfying—everyone’s gonna love it. Definitely a recipe you’ll want to keep handy when you’re craving something cozy!

    Reply

  5. Yulissa Solis
    10.22.2024

    Best comfort food ever! One of my fav!! Especially during pregnancy!

    Reply

  6. Priya Kandru
    10.22.2024

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!

    Reply

  7. Charmi Patel
    10.23.2024

    Okay so I’m a Mac and cheese enthusiasts so I had to try this recipe! It did not disappoint at all I love how well the cajun goes with the cheese!

    Reply

  8. Meghana Annadata
    10.25.2024

    Seriously mac and cheese is my comfort food but THIS takes it to another level. Theres so much good flavor while leaving that classic mac and cheese taste we all know. Cant wait to try all these recipes especially as a vegetarian seeing these options make it super exciting!

    Reply

  9. Roochi Shah
    10.26.2024

    5 stars
    Spicy Cajun Mac and Cheese! Hello! Can it get any better

    Reply

You might also like
    extra cheesy mac and cheese
    Thanksgiving Recipes

    Extra Cheesy Mac and Cheese

    stuffed pasta shells with cottage cheese
    Healthy & Light

    Stuffed pasta shells With Cottage Cheese

    gochujang pasta featured image
    Main Courses

    Creamy Gochujang Pasta (Super Easy!)

    tomato soup and grilled cheese
    Comfort Food

    Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

    Main Courses

    Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

    second featured image for golden milk
    Drinks

    Golden Milk (Authentic Turmeric MIlk Recipe)

    vegetarian breakfast burrito
    Healthy & Light

    Vegetarian breakfast burrito (with cottage cheese)

    Main Courses

    Portobello Mushroom Tacos

explore popular recipes

Check Out My Socials

Follow along for more delicious food content!

Still hungry?

Loading
Recipes
  • Main Courses
  • Appetizers
  • Sides & Snacks
  • Desserts
  • Vegetarian
Social
  • Instagram
  • TIKTOK
  • youtube
  • pinterest
More
  • About
  • work with me
  • Cookbook
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Shreya's Kitchen. All Rights Reserved.

DESIGN BY SAEVIL ROW + MTT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.