Jalapeno Popper Mac N’ Cheese – Comfort Food at its best. Spice up a classic crowd favorite with pepperoni and bacon. You’ll remember to snap seconds before you’ve even finished your plate.
I love mac n’ cheese in all forms, but this one is extra special. Smoky bacon and tangy jalapenos take this classic from everyday to extraordinary. And I don’t stop there! To really take things to the next level, finish the dish by baking it in the oven, covered in buttery toasted breadcrumbs.
If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can make this Bacon Macaroni and Cheese instead. It’s just as decadent without any spice. Or, if you want a vegetarian option, add jalapeno to this smoked mac and cheese recipe. Either way, you won’t be disappointed with the gooey, cheesy results.
Why this recipe works
It’s no secret that even the pickiest of eaters can’t resist Mac N’ Cheese. So try this new take on an old favorite to keep weeknight dinners exciting.
- Packed with flavor, this recipe gets better and better with every bite.
- Increase the heat or turn it down a notch. Adjusting the spice level to suit your family’s preferences is easy.
- A perfect make-ahead recipe, take some stress off your plate by making this recipe ahead of time for parties, potlucks or busy weeknights.
what you will need
- pasta – Any short-cut pasta is suitable for this recipe. You don’t have to stick to the traditional macaroni shape.
- jalapenos – Core your peppers for a mild spiciness. The more seeds you leave in the dish, the spicier it will be.
- bacon – Avoid extra steps and dishes by pre-cooking your bacon into slices and then crumble it. It’s easy to burn small pieces of raw bacon, so cooking it in slices is best.
- butter
- flour
- Milk – If you want to spice up this delicious dish, use low-fat milk instead.
- heavy cream – You can use half and half for fewer calories. However, the cream gives the sauce a rich and rich body.
- salt pepper
- Cheddar cheese – I like to use sharp cheddar so the bold flavor can stand up to the bold bacon and jalapeños. If you want, you can use reduced-fat cheese.
- Monterey Jack Cheese
- Pepper Jack Cheese
- Easy Breadcrumbs – You can substitute shredded butter crackers like Ritz or TownHouse for the breadcrumbs to take this recipe to the next level. (Just remember to wear your stretchy pants!)
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Mac N’ Cheese
- Begin by cooking the bacon slices over medium-high heat. Let the bacon cool, then crumble and set aside. Reserve a few teaspoons of the remaining fat.
- Next, toast the breadcrumbs by adding them to the reserved bacon grease in the pan. Toast over low heat, stirring constantly, until golden in color. Put aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook your favorite pasta as directed on the package, about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pan you used to toast the breadcrumbs, melt the butter and sauté the jalapenos for 1-2 minutes until softened.
- Stir flour into butter and jalapeño mixture. Fat and flour create a roux that thickens the sauce. Cook the roux for a minute until it turns blonde in color.
- Then stir in the milk and cream. Simmer for 5 minutes. It won’t thicken right away, but you’ll notice the change in consistency as the liquid comes to a simmer.
- Once the sauce has thickened, you can start stirring the cheese. Add gradually, stirring constantly, until incorporated. Then mix in the bacon crumbles, cooked pasta and seasonings.
- Place the noodles in a large casserole dish and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over them. Bake in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and toasty.
recipe tips
- If you like it spicy, leave some of the jalapeño seeds intact. The more seeds you use, the spicier the dish will be.
- Use whole wheat or vegetable pasta to add extra fiber and protein to this delicious meal.
- Remember to cook the pasta for about 2 minutes so it can finish cooking in the oven. That way the noodles won’t overcook and become rubbery. Instead, it soaks up some cheese sauce and adds rich texture to the dish.
This is an easily scalable recipe. Pick up a pack of these aluminum pans at the grocery store and make up a massive batch of this mac n’ cheese to have on hand whenever you need dinner in a pinch.
Yes! Follow the recipe, then store in an airtight container. You can cover the bowl with aluminum foil and put it in a freezer bag. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. Then when you’re done, you can pop it in the oven and bake until golden, bubbly, and warmed through.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps for 2-3 days. And you absolutely can freeze it! Allow to cool and store in the freezer for 3-4 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then just pop it in the oven to warm through.
How to serve Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
- What goes better with carbs than more carbs? Pair jalapeño popper mac n’ cheese with warm, soft, and slightly sweet Texas Roadhouse Rolls for a combination to die for.
- To top off (and brighten up) this rich dish, serve with bright and fresh sautéed asparagus.
- There’s a lot going on in this Mac n’ Cheese with Jalapeño and Bacon, but listen to me. It’s even better if you serve it with some bruschetta. The spicy, sour tomatoes cut through the cheese sauce and provide a taste explosion. Scoop bruschetta and mac on crusty bread and thank me later.
Yield: 8
Mac n’ Cheese Jalapeno Popper
Jalapeno Bacon Mac N’ Cheese – Comfort Food at its finest. Spice up a classic crowd favorite with pepperoni and bacon. You’ll remember to snap seconds before you’ve finished your plate
preparation time 10 mins
cooking time 40 minutes
total time 50 minutes
ingredients
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
- 10 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (any kind)
- 1 cup cream
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, grated
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, grated
- 1 cup regular breadcrumbs
instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Begin by cooking the bacon slices over medium-high heat. Let the bacon cool, then crumble and set aside. Reserve a few teaspoons of the remaining fat.
- Next, toast the breadcrumbs by adding them to the reserved bacon grease in the pan. Toast over low heat, stirring constantly, until golden in color. Put aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook your favorite pasta as directed on the package, about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pan you used to toast the breadcrumbs, melt the butter and sauté the jalapenos for 1-2 minutes until softened.
- Stir flour into butter and jalapeño mixture. Fat and flour create a roux that thickens the sauce. Cook the roux for a minute until it turns blonde in color.
- Then stir in the milk and cream. Simmer for 5 minutes. It won’t thicken right away, but you’ll notice the change in consistency as the liquid comes to a simmer.
- Once the sauce has thickened, you can start stirring the cheese. Add gradually, stirring constantly, until incorporated. Then mix in the bacon crumbles, cooked pasta and seasonings.
- Place the noodles in a large casserole dish and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over them. Bake in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and toasty.
Nutritional Information
yield
8th
serving size
1
amount per serving calories 571total fat 42gSaturated Fatty Acids 24gtrans fat 1gunsaturated fat 15gcholesterol 123mgsodium 1056mgcarbohydrates 23gdietary fiber 1gsugar 5gprotein 25g
Nutritional Disclaimer: All information on this website is for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should be used as a general guide only.
I created a fun group on Facebook and would love for you to join us! It’s a place to share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new in dinner, dishes, and desserts (so you don’t miss a new recipe)! If you want to try it, you can submit a request to join HERE.
Be sure to follow me Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNER, MEAL AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!
Follow me on my social media channels so you don’t miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Did you know that there is a SHOP for dinner, dishes and desserts? Check out all my e-books as well as branded items HERE!
Welcome to Dinners, Dishes & Desserts, where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual cook who loves to feed people. This blog has hundreds of quick and easy recipes, mostly made from scratch. I spend my days in the kitchen creating new recipes to share with family and friends.
