Bahamian Macaroni & Cheese

Bahamian mac and cheese is a Bahamian take on the classic macaroni and cheese. The dish is usually made with elbow macaroni pasta, cheddar cheese, onions, bell peppers, butter, eggs, paprika, habanero pepper, evaporated milk, salt, and black pepper.

The cooked macaroni are sautéed in butter with the grated cheese, hot peppers, seasonings, and vegetables until the cheese is melted and well-blended. Beaten eggs and evaporated milk are added to the mixture, which is then spread in a casserole dish, topped with the remaining cheese, and baked until the top becomes golden.

Before serving, Bahamian mac and cheese is left to cool, and it's then cut into squares that should hold everything together nicely. The dish can be eaten on its own, but it's more often served as a side dish for Sunday meals and feasts and holidays such as Christmas or Easter.

The addition of evaporated milk to the dish is an alternative to fresh dairy, stemming from the early colonial times of the 18th and 19th centuries. Nowadays, some locals enjoy the dish with a bit of tomato ketchup.