Baked Mac & Cheese

with Saucy Tenders

My go-to comfort dish at the moment.

Spicy Zax Chicken Tenders with Macaroni & Cheese is the ULTIMATE comfort dish! It combines the tasty flavor of Zaxby's Spicy Zax Sauce with the cheesy goodness of mac & cheese. The combo is pure <3.

Ingredients for a dish with a bottle of Zaxby's Spicy Zax Sauce, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese in bowls, pumpkin-shaped pasta, milk, and seasoning in a small bowl on a white surface.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c butter

  • 1/3 c flour

  • 1 3/4 c whole milk

  • 2 c cheddar cheese

  • 1 c Mozerella

  • 1/2 ib pasta

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1/4 tsp onion powder

  • 1/4 tsp paprika

  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard

  • Salt/Pepper for seasoning

  • 4 Chicken Tenders

  • Zaxby Spicy Sauce (if you’re more of a true buffalo chicken fan sub for Franks Hot)

    Optional

  • 1/2 c Panko Breadcrumbs

  • 2 Tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Cook your pasta per box instructions, drain, & set aside once done.

  2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

  3. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Once all the butter has melted, whisk in the flour until combined to create a roux. Take your time and mix your ingredients slowly; don’t just throw everything in at once!

  4. Gradually whisk in your milk, ensuring there are no lumps, and cook until the sauce thickens (should be about 5 minutes).

  5. Reduce your heat to low and add in your shredded cheese mixture until smooth and creamy. Bonus points if you grate your cheese yourself, but I’m not going to lie; there are many times that I just reach for a bag of Sargento’s.

  6. Season your sauce with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dry mustard.

  7. Slowly fold in your pasta, making sure to coat it in the cheese sauce evenly.

  8. Transfer to a baking dish.

  9. Optional step: In a small bowl, mix together your panko breadcrumbs with some melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the mac & cheese.

  10. Pop your mac & cheese into the oven for 15 minutes.

  11. While your Mac & Cheese is baking, fry up your tenders, then toss them in your Spicy Zax sauce (or hot sauce of your choosing).

  12. Once your mac & cheese is finished baking, lay your tenders on top and enjoy!

Buffalo chicken tenders on baked macaroni and cheese with breadcrumb topping in a dish, accompanied by a plate of forks and a napkin.

Equipment

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