Pimento Mac and Cheese is a delicious creamy pasta recipe loaded with white cheddar, cream cheese and diced pimentos and baked with a buttery Ritz cracker topping.
Pimento Mac and Cheese is a variation of traditional macaroni and cheese that includes pimentos as one of the main ingredients.
Pimentos are small, sweet red peppers that are often used in cooking for their mild flavor and vibrant color.
This mac and cheese recipe takes about forty minutes from start to finish and serves up to eight people as a main dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Pimento Mac and Cheese
- 12 oz cavatappi noodles
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups half and half
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 8 oz shredded white cheddar
- 8 oz jar diced pimentos, drained
Topping
- 20 Ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.
Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!
Step by Step Instructions for Making Pimento Mac and Cheese
STEP 1:
To make this macaroni and cheese, I started by cooking some cavatappi noodles according to the package directions.
I drained the noodles and set them aside.
STEP 2:
I dropped some butter into a large skillet over medium heat.
Once the butter was completely melted, I added some minced garlic to the skillet.
STEP 3:
I stirred and cooked the garlic for a couple minutes.
Then I added some all purpose flour to the skillet.
STEP 4:
I stirred the flour and butter together well.
I continued cooking the flour mixture for three minutes.
Then I gradually poured in some half and half while stirring continuously.
STEP 5:
I added some cubes of cream cheese to the skillet.
I also added some salt, pepper, paprika and dry mustard.
STEP 6:
I stirred until the cream cheese was completely melted.
Then added the cooked noodles to the pot.
STEP 7:
I stirred until all of the noodles were coated in sauce.
Then added some shredded white cheddar to the skillet.
STEP 8:
I stirred until the cheese was melted.
Then added some diced pimentos.
STEP 9:
I stirred the pimentos into the pasta.
Then sprayed a 9 x 13 inch baking dish well with cooking spray and poured the pasta mixture into the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
STEP 10:
I placed some Ritz crackers in a ziploc bag.
Then used a rolling pin to crush the crackers.
STEP 11:
I poured the Ritz cracker crumbs into a small bowl.
Then added some melted butter to the bowl.
STEP 12:
I used a fork to combined the Ritz cracker crumbs and butter well.
Then sprinkled the mixture over the mac and cheese in the baking dish.
STEP 13:
I placed the dish in the oven and baked the mac and cheese until it was bubbling and the cracker topping was starting to brown.
I removed the dish from the oven and allowed the mac and cheese to rest for a few minutes.
STEP 14:
I sprinkled some fresh chopped parsley on top.
Then the pimento mac and cheese was ready to serve.
This macaroni and cheese with cream cheese and half and half is rich and creamy.
The pimentos give the dish a slightly sweet and tangy flavor along with their distinctive red color.
Pimento mac and cheese can be served as a side dish or as a main course.
This hearty pasta recipe has all the flavours of the classic pimento cheese spread.
If you are looking for a simple and delicious baked mac and cheese recipe, then you need to try this Pimento Mac and Cheese!
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How should I store Pimento Mac and Cheese?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
What substitutions could I make?
- Cavatappi noodles: You can use any short pasta shape for this recipe.
- Cheese: You can adjust the amounts and types of cheeses to suit your preferences.
- Ritz crackers: You can use bread crumbs or crushed chips in place of the crackers.
What should I serve with Pimento Mac and Cheese?
There are many delicious options to serve alongside pimento mac and cheese to create a well-rounded meal. Here are a few ideas:
- Green Salad: A simple green salad with fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the mac and cheese.
- Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, or asparagus make a tasty and colorful accompaniment. Season them with olive oil, salt, and pepper for added flavor.
- Fried Chicken: The classic combination of mac and cheese with fried chicken is a popular choice. The crispy texture of the chicken complements the creamy mac and cheese perfectly.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese add a deliciously savory element to the meal.
- Garlic Bread: Serve garlic bread or breadsticks on the side for dipping into the cheesy goodness of the mac and cheese.
- BBQ Ribs: Tender, slow-cooked BBQ ribs are a hearty option that pairs well with the creamy mac and cheese. The smoky flavors of the ribs complement the dish nicely.
- Steamed Broccoli: Steamed broccoli florets provide a nutritious and vibrant side dish that adds a pop of color and freshness to the meal.
- Cornbread: Serve cornbread alongside the mac and cheese for a Southern-inspired meal. The slightly sweet flavor of the cornbread complements the richness of the dish.
Feel free to mix and match these options based on your preferences and dietary considerations to create a satisfying and balanced meal with your pimento mac and cheese.
Pimento Mac and Cheese
Pimento Mac and Cheese is a delicious creamy pasta recipe loaded with white cheddar, cream cheese and diced pimentos and baked with a buttery Ritz cracker topping.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cavatappi noodles
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups half and half
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 8 oz shredded white cheddar
- 8 oz jar diced pimentos, drained
Topping
- 20 Ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Cook the cavatappi noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Drop the butter into a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic.
- Stir well and cook the garlic for 2 minutes.
- Add the all purpose flour and stir well. Cook the flour mixture for 3 minutes.
- Gradually pour in the half and half while stirring continuously.
- Add the cream cheese cubes to the skillet.
- Add the salt, pepper, paprika and dry mustard. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked noodles and stir until they are coated in sauce.
- Add the shredded cheddar and stir until it is melted.
- Add the diced pimentos and stir.
- Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish well with cooking spray.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Place the Ritz crackers in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or heavy bottomed pot to crush them.
- Pour the crumbs into a bowl and add the melted butter. Stir well.
- Sprinkle the cracker crumb mixture over the pasta in the baking dish.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake until the mac and cheese is bubbling and the cracker topping is starting to brown. 13 - 16 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 559Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 763mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 15g
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Hi! My name is Erin and I have been here since 2016 sharing simple family friendly recipes that can be prepared by any home cook. Get ready to whip up delicious meals in no time!