Jalapeño Popper Macaroni and Cheese
My Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese brings the heat with bold jalapeño flavor, rich creaminess, and a crunchy golden topping.
Servings: 8 people
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese
- 1 cup cooked and diced bacon
- 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 4 de-seeded and diced jalapeños
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 ounces softened cubed cream cheese
- 2 cups white cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 de-seeded and sliced jalapeño
- ½ cup cooked diced bacon
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9x16-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the same large pot used for the pasta, heat the ¼ cup unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the 4 de-seeded and diced jalapeñoss and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Whisk the ¼ cup all-purpose flour into the butter and jalapeños, it should create a thick paste. Slowly whisk in the 3 cups whole milk and 2 cups heavy whipping cream until smooth and incorporated. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer.
- Add the 4 ounces softened cubed cream cheese and 2 cups white cheddar cheese and stir, simmering until melted and incorporated. Stir in the 1 cup cooked and diced bacon, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- Add the cooked pasta back to the pot and stir to coat well in the sauce. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, mix the 1 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated in the butter.
- Spread the 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese over the macaroni in the baking dish, followed by the panko mixture, and then finally the 1 de-seeded and sliced jalapeño and ½ cup cooked diced bacon.
- Bake the dish for 10-15 minutes until the top is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Updated April 24, 2025
Nutrition
Calories: 987kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 70g | Saturated Fat: 37g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 183mg | Sodium: 1028mg | Potassium: 511mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1971IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 499mg | Iron: 2mg
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