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–+ servings

Authentic Jamaican Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with this jamaican baked mac and cheese. A cheesy Caribbean macaroni pie with bold, authentic island spices.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 450 grams dried macaroni (or another tube-shaped pasta)
  • 2 tsp salt (for boiling the pasta)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small Scotch Bonnet pepper minced
  • 2 cans evaporated milk (354mL each)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x16-inch baking tray; set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, ensuring the macaroni remains firm and undercooked by 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process, then return it to the pot.
  4. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté the chopped onion for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the minced garlic and scotch bonnet pepper and cook for one additional minute.
  5. Add the onion mixture to the pot of macaroni and stir to combine.
  6. Whisk the milk, eggs, mustard, paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl, then pour the mixture over the macaroni and stir until well-coated.
  7. Stir in 3 cups of grated cheese until incorporated, reserving 1 cup for the topping.
  8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, top with the reserved cheese, and bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Notes

If you find the macaroni pie browning too quickly, bake it loosely covered with foil, then remove the foil from the top 10 minutes before it’s finished cooking.