Spicy Mac & Cheese | Louisiana Kitchen & Culture

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
• Coarse kosher salt
• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
• 2 jalapeños, or to taste, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups 2% or whole milk, warmed
• 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese (8 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 cup fresh plain, whole wheat, or panko bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste