Description
Celebrate Halloween with this fun and festive Halloween Mac and Cheese recipe featuring vibrant orange and black cheese sauces. Made with a creamy blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, this dish is both spooky and delicious, perfect for a holiday gathering or kid-friendly dinner. Customize with Halloween-themed pasta shapes and spooky toppings like black olives or roasted purple cauliflower for an extra eerie effect.
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
Coloring & Toppings
- Orange and black food coloring (gel-based preferred)
- 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 Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling and golden to form a roux.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3–4 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Color Cheese Sauce: Divide the cheese sauce evenly between two bowls. Tint one bowl with orange food coloring and the other with black food coloring, mixing well until vibrant colors are achieved.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Split the cooked pasta evenly between the two cheese sauces, stirring each gently to coat the pasta fully.
- Assemble Dish: Carefully spoon alternating scoops of the black and orange mac and cheese into a serving dish or individual bowls to create a festive, layered effect.
- Add Toppings: Top with sliced black olives or choose your favorite spooky toppings like roasted purple cauliflower, black sesame seeds, or edible eyes for a fun Halloween presentation.
Notes
- Use gel-based food coloring for the best vibrant colors without thinning the sauce.
- Try using Halloween-themed pasta shapes for added festive fun.
- Mix in roasted vegetables like purple cauliflower for an extra spooky twist and more nutrition.
- For a playful twist, bake the mac and cheese in muffin tins with edible eyes to create “mini monsters.”
