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Baked Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 93 reviews

This Baked Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese is a creamy, spicy twist on the classic comfort food. Featuring a rich cheese sauce with cream cheese, mozzarella, and white American cheese, combined with diced jalapeños, garlic, and crispy bacon, then topped with toasted panko breadcrumbs for a crunchy finish. Baked to golden perfection, this dish delivers a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and crisp texture, ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a party crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Panko Topping

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Pasta

  • 1 box (16 oz) dried short cut pasta (cavatappi, elbow, rotini, penne, etc.)

Cheese Sauce

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2–3 fresh jalapeños, seeds and ribs removed, diced
  • 1/3 cup diced yellow onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups heavy cream (or half and half)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 2 cups shredded or diced white American cheese, divided (white cheddar can also be used)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin

Bacon

  • 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon, divided

Instructions

  1. Toast Panko Breadcrumbs: In a small saucepan, heat 1 tsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and stir continuously until they are coated with oil and start to brown lightly. Once toasted, remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish, such as a 9×13-inch pan, and set aside. Bring a large stockpot of water to boil and cook the pasta until it is just one minute shy of al dente. Drain the pasta and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced jalapeños and yellow onion and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute while stirring frequently.
  4. Make the Roux and Sauce: Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and stir well to combine. Cook this mixture for 1 to 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and whole milk while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Continue to cook the sauce for several minutes, stirring often until it thickens.
  5. Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the cubed cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Add most of the mozzarella and white American cheese, stirring until all the cheese has melted into a smooth sauce. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of milk and stir to adjust the consistency.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and most of the crumbled cooked bacon. Mix well so that the pasta is evenly coated with the cheesy jalapeño sauce.
  7. Assemble and Bake: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and white American cheeses, remaining crumbled bacon, and then sprinkle the toasted panko breadcrumbs evenly on top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
  8. Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot. Optionally garnish with additional sliced jalapeños and fresh parsley or cilantro for added flavor and color.

Notes

  • To reduce spice, use fewer jalapeños or remove all seeds and membranes.
  • Substitute half and half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
  • Use gluten-free pasta and flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • For extra crispiness, broil the panko topping for 1-2 minutes at the end—watch carefully to prevent burning.
  • White cheddar cheese can be used instead of white American cheese for a sharper flavor.

Keywords: jalapeño popper mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, spicy mac and cheese, jalapeño recipes, comfort food, bacon mac and cheese

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/baked-jalapeno-popper-mac-and-cheese-recipe/