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Jalapeño Bacon Mac & Cheese

bowl of jalapeño bacon Mac and cheese
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Jalapeño Bacon Mac & Cheese is rich, creamy, and a major Mac and Cheese upgrade! Easily make the indulgent, creamy cheese sauce on the stove before folding in the pasta, bacon, and jalapeños. Finally top with Panko Breadcrumbs and bake in the oven for the best baked Mac and cheese recipe!

Ingredients

Mac & Cheese

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, 1 cup reserved for topping
  • 8oz cream cheese, cubed
  • 12-16oz bacon, cooked and chopped. Reserve the bacon fat
  • 6-8 jalapeños, seeded and diced
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni

Panko Topping

  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven - Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Make Cheese Sauce - In a large pot, start by making a roux by melting the butter (and the reserved bacon grease, if using) over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until the flour is fully absorbed, 1 or 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk to make the sauce. By slowly adding get milk it will thicken quicker. The sauce thickens from simmering. Once all the milk is added and it is thickened, add the cheeses and spices. After the sauce is smooth, fold in the bacon and jalapeños.
  3. Cook Pasta - While you're making the cheese sauce, boil a large pot of salted water and cook the noodles according to the box directions. You want to cook them until they are almost al dente. Do not overcook as they will cook more in the oven. Drain the noodles (do not rinse) and add to the cheese sauce, folding to combine.
  4. Assemble Mac & Cheese - Grease a large 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and pour in the Mac and cheese. Mix together the melted butter and Panko Breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Top the Mac and cheese with the reserved cheese, bacon, jalapeño and sprinkle with the Panko.
  5. Bake - Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese sauce is bubbling and the top is golden. About 30-40 minutes. I recommend letting it cool for about 10 minutes before serving so it sets up slightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño bacon mac & cheese, bacon Mac and cheese, baked bacon Mac & cheese

Find it online: https://kathleenscravings.com/jalapeno-bacon-mac-cheese/