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Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

A rich and creamy mac and cheese recipe inspired by jalapeño poppers, featuring sharp cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, bacon, and fresh jalapeños with a crispy panko topping.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded, membranes removed, and diced
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 6 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 2 tsp TABASCO® Sauce
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 12 oz cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and grease a baking dish.
  2. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add diced jalapeños and cook until tender.
  4. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
  5. Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream until smooth and bubbling; cook for another 2 minutes while whisking.
  6. Whisk in cream cheese and TABASCO® Sauce until smooth.
  7. Add 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and whisk until smooth, then add 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and whisk until creamy and thick.
  8. Stir in cooked pasta until fully coated with cheese sauce.
  9. Pour half the mac and cheese into the baking dish, top with remaining 2 cups cheddar cheese and two-thirds of the bacon, then layer remaining mac and cheese on top.
  10. Combine panko crumbs, Parmesan, melted butter, and smoked paprika; sprinkle this topping over the mac and cheese.
  11. Bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
  12. Top with remaining bacon and sliced jalapeños if desired, then serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh jalapeños for best flavor and adjust seed quantity for spice preference. Toast panko topping lightly in butter for extra crunch. For creamier sauce, add a bit more milk during cooking if needed.

  • Author: Dorothy Miller
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Method: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 40g
  • Saturated Fat: 22g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg