Description
This Halloween Mac and Cheese recipe is a fun and festive twist on a classic comfort food favorite. Creamy and cheesy macaroni is colored with orange and black hues, making it a perfect dish for a Halloween party or a spooky family dinner. Top it with sliced black olives or fun Halloween-themed toppings for an extra eerie touch!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Mac and Cheese:
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 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
Coloring and Optional Toppings:
- Orange and black food coloring (gel-based preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sliced black olives or black beans
- Optional: Halloween-shaped pasta or spooky toppings like roasted purple cauliflower, black sesame seeds, or edible eyes
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk and cream. Stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until smooth. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add Color: Divide cheese sauce, tint one half with orange food coloring and the other with black. Mix with cooked pasta.
- Assemble: Spoon alternating scoops of black and orange mac and cheese into a serving dish. Top with black olives or Halloween toppings.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors.
- Experiment with Halloween-themed pasta shapes or roasted veggies.
- For a fun twist, bake the mac and cheese in muffin tins with eyes for “mini monsters.”
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg