Baked Flamin Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese with Sharp Cheddar
A spicy twist on classic baked mac and cheese featuring a creamy blend of sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheeses with a crunchy Flamin Hot Cheetos topping. Perfect for game day gatherings or when you want comfort food with serious heat. The combination of homemade cheese sauce and crushed snack chips creates an irresistible contrast of textures that appeals to both kids and adults who love bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow or corkscrew pasta, cooked to al dente
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 cup half-and-halfheavy cream1:1richeradds dairy
makes sauce richer
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 8-ounce block sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ 8-ounce block pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Flamin Cheetos, coarsely crushed
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and lightly grease baking dish
- 2
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat
- 3
Sprinkle in flour and whisk in, cooking for 1 minute
- 4
Gradually whisk in milk and half-and-half until mixture comes to a simmer and simmer for about 2 minutes
- 5
Add cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper
- 6
Turn heat to low and add cheese a handful at a time, whisking until melted
- 7
Add cooked pasta to prepared pan and pour cheese sauce on top, stirring to mix
- 8
Combine crushed cheetos and melted butter and scatter evenly on top
- 9
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes
Tips
Cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions since it will continue cooking in the oven.
Let the cheese sauce cool slightly before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy.
Save some whole Cheetos to garnish the top for extra crunch and visual appeal.
Good to Know
refrigerate covered for up to 3 days
assemble up to 1 day ahead, add topping before baking
hot from the oven for best texture
Common Mistakes
whisk constantly when adding milk to avoid lumps
add cheese gradually to prevent sauce from breaking
don't overbake to avoid dried out pasta
Substitutions
different shape holds sauce differently
removes heat but keeps crunch
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the mac and cheese without the Cheetos topping and refrigerate overnight. Add the topping and bake when ready to serve.
What if I can't find Flamin Hot Cheetos?
Regular Cheetos work fine, or try crushed spicy chips like Hot Cheetos puffs or even spicy crackers for similar crunch.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350F for best results.