Jalapeno Mac and Cheese (vegan, 15 minutes)

This Jalapeno Mac and Cheese is the easiest make ahead meal ever and comes with a homemade, naturally vegan cheese sauce. You can prepare it in only 15 minutes and have a delicious lunch or dinner for the whole family ready. I’ll show you how to make it from simple ingredients on the stove or as a baked mac and cheese version in the oven. If you prefer it milder, just swap jalapenos for green chili (Anaheim chili). So simple! 

When I’m around, you can be sure there’s always time for comfort food like this Buffalo Cauliflower Lasagna.

Seriously I don’t stop and so I was recently thinking about new ways how to satisfy my cravings. I had been to the market a while ago and had stocked up my pantry and fridge. Now there were some leftovers and I was wondering about what things to do with jalapenos.

I finally settled for this Jalapeno Mac and Cheese recipe. It is super creamy, you will never guess you are eating plant based food, spicy, packed with incredibly flavors, cheesy, comforting, ultimately satisfying, and super easy to make.

Are jalapenos spicy

Let’s get this question out of the way first: yes jalapenos are really spicy. I added in total 7 oz jalapeno to this recipe because I like it really hot and full of flavor.

But everyone is different, so please make sure to adjust to your own taste.

If you’re a bit sensitive to spicy food, I definitely recommend to start with only a quarter of the given quantities and scale up from there.

Another option is to make this a Green Chili Mac and Cheese by using green Anaheim chili which is a lot milder than jalapenos. If you need a guide, check out the Hot Pepper List.

Spicy Mac and Cheese

When it comes to the question how to spice up mac and cheese, there are several options. Think of just adding a hot sauce, sriracha, tabasco or even just chili powder.

You get the picture. But I prefer to use jalapenos for good reason. These are seriously texture perfect.

Not only do you get a lovely spiciness, they provide texture. Something that I can’t achieve with chili powder, hot sauce, tabasco, and so on.

How to make Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

First, cook your pasta according the directions. At the same time heat a bit oil or vegetable broth. Add garlic and sliced jalapenos and roast them for about 3 minutes until they are lightly browned. Set aside.

When the pasta is done, pour the water off and return the drained pasta back to the stove.

Mix with prepared 3 Ingredient Vegan Cheese Sauce (just blend cashews, vegetable broth, and tahini), roasted jalapenos and garlic, nutritional yeast, and vegan cream cheese.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Only step left to do is warming everything for 5 minutes on medium heat. Divide on bowls or plates.

My Jalapeno Mac and Cheese is such a fantastic dish for meal prep – either as work lunch or an exciting family weeknight dinner.

Seriously what’s not to love about it?

Baked Mac and Cheese

What I find so amazing about this recipe is that it’s easy to switch things up by making this Jalapeno Mac and Cheese not only on the stove but also in the oven.

Did you know how easy it is to learn how to make a baked mac and cheese?

Ok the directions here are bit different from the stove, let’s do this. It’s easy!

You start with cooking the pasta and frying the garlic and jalapenos as I mentioned above.

From there you will need a 8×11 casserole dish. Combine cooked and drained pasta with roasted jalapenos, garlic, dairy free cream cheese, nutritional yeast. Season with salt and pepper in the baking dish.

Finally bake everything for around 20 minutes at 410°F.

What to cook with mac and cheese

I find this spicy mac and cheese is so rich and filling on its own. There is  hardly any need to make something with it.

But if you’re looking for some ideas on what to serve with it, here are some options:

• broccoli, which is extra delicious in this Garlic Broccoli Stir Fry
• cauliflower, so easy and flavorful as a Buffalo Cauliflower Soup
• quinoa, which never tasted better than in this Quinoa Taco Salad [vegan, gf]

If you love spicy food like mem you have to try this Jalapeno Mac and Cheese.

Tag me on Instagram and Facebook, snap a picture, and show off how hot you like it.

Cheers, Florian.