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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
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
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
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