Description
Celebrate Halloween with this fun and festive Halloween Mac and Cheese recipe featuring vibrant orange and black cheese sauces. Creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a spooky twist on a classic comfort food, this dish is sure to be a hit at any Halloween gathering or family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Orange and black food coloring (gel-based preferred)
Optional Toppings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for optional spooky toppings)
- 1 cup sliced black olives or black beans (for color)
- Optional: Halloween-shaped pasta or spooky toppings like roasted purple cauliflower, black sesame seeds, or edible eyes
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling to create a roux.
- Add Milk and Cream: Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasonings: Lower the heat and stir in shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring well to combine.
- Color the Cheese Sauce: Divide the cheese sauce evenly between two bowls. Tint one half with orange food coloring and the other with black food coloring, mixing each thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Split the cooked pasta evenly and stir into each colored sauce bowl until fully coated.
- Assemble the Dish: Carefully spoon alternating scoops of black and orange mac and cheese into a serving dish or individual bowls to create a festive look.
- Add Toppings: Top with sliced black olives or other optional Halloween toppings like roasted purple cauliflower, black sesame seeds, or edible eyes before serving.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the cheese sauce.
- Try Halloween-themed pasta shapes to enhance the festive feel.
- Mix in roasted vegetables like purple cauliflower to add spooky flair and nutrition.
- For a fun variation, bake the mac and cheese in muffin tins and decorate with edible eyes to make “mini monsters.”
