Creamy Sriracha Pasta Bake
Mac & cheese meets hot sauce in this creamy Sriracha pasta bake. For obvious reasons, this is my favorite recipe of those that I developed for this week.
I’m a pasta-lover. Odds are you are too. And most people love a creamy, cheese bechamel sauce. So a creamy pasta bake with spicy Sriracha sauce just seemed fitting. And considering that comfort food season is right around the corner, a creamy baked pasta kicks it off in a hurry. I am so excited for fall flavors, soups and stews, pumpkin and apples!
The pasta bake was very simple, full of flavor and oh-so creamy. I used simple cheeses and made a thick, creamy sauce, added the Sriracha, poured it over pasta and baked it with some panko on top. The panko browns to add a nice crunch in contrast to the creamy cheese sauce!
Creamy Sriracha Pasta Bake Recipe
Yield: 4 healthy servings
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 15
All of the traditional cheesy flavors of creamy mac & cheese baked with one spicy addition: Sriracha sauce!
Ingredients:
1 pound bowtie pasta (or your favorite pasta)
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. flour
2 cups milk
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 cup (6 ounces) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded + 1/4 cup for topping
1/2 cup (4 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese + 1/4 cup for topping
1/4 cup (2 ounces) Colby Jack cheese, shredded
1/4 cup Sriracha sauce
1 cup Panko breadcrumbsDirections:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
While pasta is cooking, heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter, and once it’s melted and bubbly, add the flour. Whisk, creating a roux and cook until the mixture is blended and golden brown (2-3 minutes) Stream in the milk, stirring constantly, and bring to a boil. Continue stirring until milk thickens. Stir in the nutmeg, oregano and grated cheeses and continue to stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in the Sriracha sauce one tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your desired heat level. I used a quarter-cup but you can use less or more as necessary. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
Add pasta to the casserole dish and add in cheese/Sriracha mixture and mix thoroughly. Mix the breadcrumbs with the additional cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spread the breadcrumb/cheese mixture evenly on top of the pasta. Bake for 25 minutes. I cover it for about 10 and then uncover for 15 so that the breadcrumbs don’t burn.
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SaveSriracha Week will conclude tomorrow with one last simple Sriracha recipe, along with a roundup of some favorites from around the web! If you have a Sriracha recipe, feel free to share!
Sriracha Week Intro
Sriracha & Veggie Frittata
Sriracha Cheddar Biscuits
Sriracha Sesame & Ginger Popcorn
Fancy mac and cheese! Love it. I bet those panko crumbs really add a nice crunch. I still have to check out the biscuits but I’m pretty sure this is my favorite recipe of yours this week, too!
Oh man, first the popcorn and then this?!?! You’re killing me! YUM!
Oh wow does that look good!!!!
This is so unique! Love this idea!
It’s possible that I’m drooling at my desk… This is beyond irresistable!
Oh holy hell.
Mac n cheese is my jam. E loves hot sauce. This is definitely going to happen.
I’m sad that sriracha week is coming to a close! This is looking soo good and its not even lunch time yet!
Oh my heaven, I can’t even talk about this pasta! It looks AMAZING and I wish I had it for breakfast, not kidding.
Sounds like a spicy macaroni and cheese — yum!
I loooooove pasta too, especially when cheese is involved. THis looks amazing!!
Whoa! I love me some Sriracha! When you can spell it without cheating, it means you don’t mess around. Gotta try this!
This sounds awesome! I bet it would be great with some spicy chicken sausage added in there, too.
This looks incredible, Cassie! Cheese, pasta, sriracha. So many good things happening here!
I’m loving your theme weeks!
This is my favorite of the recipes you’ve posted this week too! Yum-o
I cannot tell you how much I’ve been loving Sriracha week! Keeping my fingers crossed for a Sriracha dessert tomorrow
This looks incredible Cassie!!
Wow. This is Last Meal worthy. Love it so hard.
What a great way to add a kick to mac and cheese! I just love all your creative Sriracha recipes this week!
Yum, this looks like absolute heaven – love the Siracha here!
Ohhhhh holy moly!! Ben would flip his lid for his own batch of this!
Oh goodness! I am so ready for fall recipes. I love Mac n cheese and a spicy version sounds even better! I am excited to make this
Love the idea of this. I made mac n cheese this week with our bbq. One of my favorite foods…all in moderation
and I always add a few splashes of tabasco. I’ll have to remember this for next time!
Looks amazing as always Cassie… you are so dang talented girl!
Oh my goodness, does this look yummy! I thought of you today because I ate some edamame with sriracha and my lips were on fire and I never thought I would get them to stop burning! Small price to pay for the good stuff, I guess!
I am in love! I want this so badly!
I’m loving catching up…you have been busy this week! Of course, a pasta recipe is easily my favorite too. I usually make a buffalo chicken mac and cheese with Frank’s hot sauce, but am definitely trying this next time around!
love that you turned old fashioned mac n cheese into a sriracha one!! love it!
Who knew that adding Sriracha to pasta is the best thing ever?! Have I told you how much I’m loving this week
I’ve never tried baking pasta before.. Love the addition of sriracha in this recipe
Cassie, this is a real keeper. I am really loving these Sriracha recipes. Thanks !
Cassie I LOVE all your Sriracha recipes! This one specifically is mouthwatering-ly delicious. I bet it has the perfect kick!
YUM! YUM! YUM! Another Sriracha recipe I can’t wait to make!!!!!
This looks amazing! I love spicy foods, especially when they contain sriracha.
My daughter gets me to squirt sriracha on her mac and cheese.. she would love this.
Oh, Guess what I’m making for dinner tonight?! Yup:THIS!!!! It’s bbbbaking now!
Oh, Guess what I’m making for dinner tonight?! Yup:THIS!!!! It’s bbbbaking now!!
Cassie replied: — September 15th, 2012 @ 7:04 pm
How was it?? Hope you liked it!
Wooooow. I just had a huge dinner and now I’m hungry again. This looks SO good!
I need this in my mouth right. this. second.
Mmmm, even this spice wimp is totally craving your pasta bake! I love mac and cheese in the fall, your timing is perfect!
IT WAS AMAZING! We’ve decided this will be in our monthly comfort food rotation
Thanks, Cassie!
I am so making this soon.
Sriracha…my very favorite condiment. What an inspired use of this wonderful sauce. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Cassie replied: — March 20th, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
Thanks Candace, I think you will like this one then!
I stumbled upon this after finding your sriracha popcorn recipe. Definitely about to make this for dinner (except I’m adding some chicken), and I’m totally trying the popcorn recipe tomorrow!
Cassie replied: — November 21st, 2013 @ 8:21 pm
I hope you enjoy it! I love Sriracha!!
We made this and added broccoli, onions and tomatoes! Was spicy and delicious. Also substituted almond milk for the milk and it turned out fine.
Cassie replied: — May 6th, 2014 @ 8:23 pm
So glad to know that almond milk worked well. Glad you liked it!