Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
Everything you love about jalapeno poppers paired with a rich and creamy mac and cheese to deliver a spicy zing of comfort food.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 c macaroni noodles uncooked
- 8 tbsp butter
- 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 c milk
- 1/2 c heavy whipping cream
- 4 oz cream cheese cut into pieces
- 2 c sharp cheddar or monterey jack cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 4 oz pickled jalapeños drained
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 c panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the macaroni noodles according to package directions as you prepare the cheese sauce. Drain when done, but do not rinse.
- Place 6 Tablespoons of the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Once butter is melted, stir in the flour to form a paste.
- Whisk in the milk, ensuring the flour mixture dissolves completely.
- Add in the heavy whipping cream, cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese. Stir occasionally until cheeses are completely melted.
- Chop all but a few of the jalapeño peppers, reserving a few for garnish.
- Stir in the garlic powder, the chopped jalapeños, and most of the bacon, reserving some for garnish.
- Fold the macaroni and cheese into an 8" x 8" casserole dish.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 Tablespoons butter.
- Once melted and hot, stir in the breadcrumbs and toast until golden. Remove from heat.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the macaroni and cheese, followed by the toasted breadcrumbs and reserved bacon and jalapeños.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is fully melted and as browned as you'd like.
Nutrition
Calories: 666kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 16gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 692mgPotassium: 372mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1440IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.