Jalapeño 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. Jalapeño popper mac and cheese will have your family and guests going gaga for more. There’s just enough heat with one jalapeño pepper, or use two chilies to have something a little more memorable. It’s spicy, creamy, and cheesy…and that’s before the bacon kicks in. Seriously, it’s all good things wrapped into one.
We love jalapeño 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 jalapeño kind) and it’s plenty filling.
Like this recipe? You’ll love these too:
- Popper Chicken Soup: All the ingredients you’d expect, making one creamy soup with kick!
- Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich: This may become your new go-to grilled cheese. Total comfort food.
- Popper Mashed Potatoes: This is a delicious steak side, but don’t overlook it as a tasty twist for holiday meals, too.
Jalapeño Popper Mac And Cheese
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 jalapeño 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 jalapeño pepper, and cook the jalapeño in the butter, stirring often, for one minute.
- Add the flour to the jalapeño and continue to stir until the mix turns pasty and lightly browns (approximately 2 minutes).
- 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.