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    Home » Pasta

    Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

    Published: Sep 8, 2021 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Ashley Havecker

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    Everything you love about jalapeno poppers paired with a rich and creamy mac and cheese to deliver a spicy zing of comfort food.

    Jump to:
    • What is in Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese:
    • Tips for making Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese:
    • Can this Mac and Cheese be made ahead of time? 
    • More Mac and Cheese Recipes:
    • Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

    This Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese works great as a side dish, but it is hearty enough to eat as a main dish. You could leave out the bacon to make it vegetarian.

    It’s the ultimate mac and cheese for spicy food lovers!

    Top mac and cheese with garnish

    What is in Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese:

    This jalapeños popper mac and cheese recipe features all the components of a jalapeño popper that we all know and love:

    • cream cheese
    • jalapeños
    • crunchy panko topping
    • and BACON!

    Tips for making Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese:

    • Using block cheese is the way to go when you’re making mac and cheese. The pre-shredded cheese is coated and won’t melt properly. Grate it yourself for the best results.
    • Cook your pasta to slightly less than al dente, about one minute shy is perfect – that’s about 7 minutes for macaroni. The reason is that this is baked mac and cheese so the pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
    • I used cheddar cheese which I think is perfect for complementing the cream cheese. You could use Monterey Jack instead or Pepper Jack if you want to add more heat.
    • If you want less heat, remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapenos.
    • For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon completely.
    • For a meatier version, add some extra bacon.  Also, 1 ½ cups of shredded chicken make a great addition to the bacon as well!

    Can this Mac and Cheese be made ahead of time? 

    Absolutely!

    • Make as directed, minus the panko topping (but do not bake), transfer to a baking dish, and cool completely.  Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead.
    • Before baking, let the dish sit on the counter for 30 minutes.
    • Top with panko and bake at recipe temperature for 25-35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

    More Mac and Cheese Recipes:

    • Creamy White Mac and Cheese
    • Easy Crockpot Chili Mac Recipe
    Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

    Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

    Everything you love about jalapeno poppers paired with a rich and creamy mac and cheese to deliver a spicy zing of comfort food.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Pasta, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 ½ c macaroni noodles uncooked
    • 8 tbsp butter
    • 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ c milk
    • ½ c heavy whipping cream
    • 4 oz cream cheese cut into pieces
    • 2 c sharp cheddar or monterey jack cheese
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • 4 oz pickled jalapeños drained
    • 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
    • ¼ c panko breadcrumbs

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare the macaroni noodles according to package directions as you prepare the cheese sauce. Drain when done, but do not rinse.
    • Place 6 Tablespoons of the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
      Melted Butter
    • Once butter is melted, stir in the flour to form a paste.
      Flour Paste
    • Whisk in the milk, ensuring the flour mixture dissolves completely.
      add in milk
    • Add in the heavy whipping cream, cream cheese and 1 ½ cups of the cheese. Stir occasionally until cheeses are completely melted.
      melted cheese
    • Chop all but a few of the jalapeño peppers, reserving a few for garnish.
    • Stir in the garlic powder, the chopped jalapeños, and most of the bacon, reserving some for garnish.
      bacon and jalapeno
    • Fold the macaroni and cheese into an 8" x 8" casserole dish.
      mac and cheese in dish
    • Preheat oven to 350F.
    • In a skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 Tablespoons butter.
    • Once melted and hot, stir in the breadcrumbs and toast until golden. Remove from heat.
      add breadcrumbs
    • Sprinkle remaining cheese over the macaroni and cheese, followed by the toasted breadcrumbs and reserved bacon and jalapeños.
      Top mac and cheese with garnish
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is fully melted and as browned as you'd like.
      Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
    Keyword Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

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    About Ashley Havecker

    My name is Ashley Havecker. I'm a self-taught cook with decades of experience. It's a bonding experience when family and friends can gather together for a meal. This simple yet powerful bonding is why I’ve built Saving Mealtime to make mealtime more convenient and a precious time of day.

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