JalapeƱo Popper Mac And Cheese

JalapeƱo poppers and mac and cheese are each alone so good. So what happens when you fuse the two together? It’s a side of pure magic, we’d say. JalapeƱo popper mac and cheese will have your family and guests going gaga for more. There’s just enough heatĀ with one jalapeƱo pepper, or use two chilies to have something a little more memorable. It’s spicy, creamy, and Ā cheesy…and that’s before the bacon kicks in. Seriously, it’s all good things wrapped into one.

jalapeno popper mac and cheese

We love jalapeƱo popper mac and cheese as a spicy BBQ side, though there’s nothing stopping you from choosing this delicious dish as a full-blown entree. It’s certainly a unique way to tackle pasta night for families with a love of spicy! Pair it with some cornbread (maybe the spicy jalapeƱo kind) and it’s plenty filling.

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jalapeno popper mac and cheese

JalapeƱo Popper Mac And Cheese

Two great tastes – pure comfort food joy
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Side
Servings 12 servings
Calories 528 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound pasta noodles
  • 1 pound white American cheese sliced (3/4 pound required – 1/4 pound optional)
  • 8 slices bacon crumbled
  • 1 to 2 jalapeƱo peppers stemmed, seeds removed, and diced
  • 4 ounces cream cheese 1/2 of normal sized package
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Roughly chop 1/2 of the sliced American cheese and place to the side. 
  • Heat to a boil a pot full of water (lightly salted), then add the pasta. Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain the pasta and place to the side. 
  • In a high sided pan over medium heat, add the butter and allow it to melt. Add the jalapeƱo pepper, and cook the jalapeƱo in the butter, stirring often, for one minute.
  • Add the flour to the jalapeƱo and continue to stir until the mix turns pasty and lightly browns (approximately 2 minutes).Ā 
  • Add the heavy cream and milk, stirring often to fully combine. Simmer the mix for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce thickens. 
  • Add the cream cheese, chopped American cheese, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt. 
  • Add the cooked pasta noodles and bacon to the sauce. Stir to combine. 
  • Transfer half the pasta and sauce into a baking dish, then layer half of the remaining cheese slices over top. Pour in the rest of the pasta and sauce atop the cheese.
  • Bake the mac and cheese for 15 minutes, then (optional) place the remaining cheese slices atop of the dish, spread evenly. Bake for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to melt and lightly brown.
  • Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Serve. 

Nutrition

Calories: 528kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 16gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 1006mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1100IUVitamin C: 1.6mgCalcium: 467mgIron: 0.9mg
Keyword Jalapeno Pepper
Did you make this?Mention @PepperScale or tag #PepperScale so we can see what you made!

UPDATE NOTICE: This post was updated on May 9, 2022 to include new content.
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