Satisfy your comfort food craving with my Delicious and Easy Cajun Mac and Cheese. This homemade mac and cheese features Cajun spices, smoked sausage, and a creamy pepper jack and cheddar cheese sauce the whole family will love!

Cajun Mac and Cheese

Ready to spice up your mac and cheese? Meet your new best friend: Cajun Mac and Cheese! 

Just like my ultra popular creamy mac and cheese recipe, this Cajun mac and cheese is so simple to make and incredibly delicious with an easy Cajun twist. 

If you want to learn how to make Cajun Mac and Cheese, then keep reading below and check out my Youtube video tutorial over here.

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Cajun Mac and Cheese FAQs

This Cajun mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and fully customizable based on your flavor preferences and cravings.  

Check out some helpful tips below on how to make the best Cajun mac and cheese ever! 

Cara’s Tips:

1. Use Both Cajun and Poultry Seasoning – I recommend using this Cajun seasoning and this poultry seasoning for the best blend of spices and flavor. The poultry seasoning in particular is one of my absolute favorites to add on chicken, burgers, and of course tastes great in this dish!
2. Use Smoked Sausage or Andouille Sausage – Our family loves this Jalapeno and Cheddar Smoked Sausage or Cajun Andouille Sausage and you can use either in this mac and cheese.
3. Shred Your Own Cheese – For the most creamy mac and cheese, use freshly shredded cheeses instead of pre-packaged ones. You can grate them quickly with an affordable box grater or electric grater and it makes such a difference in flavor and texture.
4. Prep Veggies, Meat, and Seasonings In Advance – To save time, I recommend chopping your veggies and meat, and mixing your seasonings ahead. I often will do this the night before, store the veggies and meat in the fridge, and place the seasonings in an airtight container. This makes the process quicker when I’m ready to make my mac and cheese the next day.

How to Make Cajun Mac and Cheese (Step by Step)

Below you’ll find a helpful step-by-step guide on how to make this easy Cajun mac and cheese, as well as a list of kitchen tools and ingredients you’ll need. 

As always, the detailed ingredients and instructions are listed in the printable recipe at the end of this post. 

Be sure and save this recipe for later, and check out the full video tutorial over here! 

1. Dice Veggies and Sausage

First, prep your veggies and meat. Use a knife to dice a small to medium onion and a red or green bell pepper.

Next, use a knife to dice the smoked sausage or andouille sausage into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

2. Shred Your Cheese

Next, shred your cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese with a box grater and set aside.

3. Combine Seasonings

Prepare your seasonings by combining garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and stirring with a spoon until evenly combined. 

4. Boil Water and Sauté Veggies and Sausage

In a large non-stick skillet, add a small amount of oil and add the diced pepper and onion to the pan. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes until the veggies begin to soften. 

Next, add in the chopped sausage and sauté with the veggies until caramelized. This process typically takes 5-10 minutes, depending on how soft and brown you want them.

Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.  

5. Boil Macaroni and Prepare Cheese Sauce

Once pasta water comes to a boil, add in the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (usually this takes 8-11 minutes, but check your box for recommended times).

Once cooked, remove from heat, drain, and set aside to prepare your homemade cheese sauce. 

In another large pot, melt the unsalted butter. While butter is melting, add milk to a large glass measuring cup and microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm.

Next, add the flour to the melted butter and whisk over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes a light brown.

Next, add in the slightly warm milk a little at a time, whisking vigorously in between to remove lumps and create a smooth and creamy texture. 

Next, add in your seasonings and whisk until evenly combined. 

Cook over medium/high heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring regularly until the sauce thickens and bubbles.

Turn off the heat and add in the shredded cheeses a little at a time. Stir with a wooden spoon until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

5. Add Pasta, Sausage, and Veggies

Add drained pasta to the homemade cheese sauce and stir until combined.

Add sautéed sausage, pepper, and onion mixture and stir until evenly combined. 

Serve and enjoy! If desired, top with chopped fresh or dried chives. 

Easy Cajun Mac and Cheese

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Satisfy your comfort food craving with my Delicious and Easy Cajun Mac and Cheese. This homemade mac and cheese features Cajun spices, smoked sausage, and a creamy pepper jack and cheddar cheese sauce the whole family will love!

• Author: Kindly Unspoken
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16–20 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American, Cajun

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz box elbow macaroni (or similar type pasta)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk (warmed in the microwave for 1-2 mins)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (I recommend this for a lower-sodium option)
• 1 tsp Poultry Seasoning (I love using this in combination with Cajun seasoning for added flavor and a medium level spice, but you can omit and double regular Cajun seasoning, if preferred)
• 1 red or green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small to medium yellow onion, diced
• 14 oz package Jalapeno and Cheddar Smoked Sausage or Cajun Andouille Sausage
• 8 oz block sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 8 oz block pepper jack cheese, freshly shredded
• Fresh or dried chives for garnish, optional

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• First, prep your veggies and meat. Use a knife to dice a small to medium onion and a red or green bell pepper. Next, use a knife to dice the smoked sausage or andouille sausage into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
• Next, shred your cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese with a box grater and set aside.
• Prepare your seasonings by combining garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and stirring with a spoon until evenly combined. 
• Begin heating lightly salted water in a large pot over medium/high heat.
• In a large non-stick skillet, add a small amount of oil and add the diced pepper and onion to the pan. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes until the veggies begin to soften. 
• Next, add in the chopped sausage and sauté with the veggies until caramelized. This process typically takes 5-10 minutes, depending on how soft and brown you want them. 
• Once pasta water comes to a boil, add in the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (usually this takes 8-11 minutes, but check your box for recommended times). Once cooked, remove from heat, drain, and set aside to prepare your homemade cheese sauce. 
• In another large pot, melt the unsalted butter. While butter is melting, add milk to a large glass measuring cup and microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm.
• Next, add the flour to the melted butter and whisk over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes a light brown.
• Next, add in the slightly warm milk a little at a time, whisking vigorously in between to remove lumps and create a smooth and creamy texture. 
• Next, add in your seasonings and whisk until evenly combined. 
• Cook over medium/high heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring regularly until the sauce thickens and bubbles.
• Turn off the heat and add in the shredded cheeses a little at a time. Stir with a wooden spoon until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Add drained pasta to the homemade cheese sauce and stir until combined. Add sautéed sausage, pepper, and onion mixture and stir until evenly combined. 
• Serve and enjoy! If desired, top with chopped fresh or dried chives. 

Notes

How to store mac and cheese:

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and will last for up to 1 week.

How to re-heat mac and cheese:

This mac and cheese can easily be re-heated on the stove or in the microwave.

As the mac and cheese sauce naturally thickens after refrigeration, I recommend adding a few tablespoons of milk when re-heating it to make it nice and creamy.

If re-heating individual servings in the microwave, you can add just a tiny splash of milk and heat for 30 second intervals until warm.

I hope you enjoyed my Easy Cajun Mac and Cheese recipe and will give it a try ASAP. 

Will you be adding this to next week’s menu? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by! – Cara

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