Bacon Jalapeno Mac and Cheese is loaded with tender pasta, a homemade luscious creamy cheese sauce with pops of flavorful jalapenos, and smoky bacon.
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With so much flavor, you really can’t go wrong with any Classic Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe, but this one takes regular classic mac n cheese and adds a whole new level of heat, smokiness, and kick to your plate. Adding the bits of bacon amp up the protein a bit while adding a new flavor for your tastebuds, just like my Lobster Mac and Cheese and my Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese recipes do.
Why This Recipe Works
It’s a good recipe to scale to feed more people for parties or gatherings. You can adjust the level of heat for your preferences. This cheesy pasta can be served as a side dish or add some more cooked protein and make it a full meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Pasta: I used macaroni. I’ve also used rotini before, but any type of pasta will work.
- Bacon: I used Cherry wood smoked bacon
- Jalapenos: diced: For another yummy flavor twist, try using Pickled Jalapenos.
- Dairy: butter, half n half, cheddar cheese, pepper Jack cheese, mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan (for the topping)
- Flour: Helps to thicken the cheese sauce.
- Panko bread crumbs: Adds a delicious crunchy topping!
How To Make Bacon Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
- Step 1: Chop raw bacon into small pieces and add to a large skillet. Cook until chopped bacon pieces are crispy. Remove bacon from the pan and set onto a paper towel lined plate to remove excess grease.
- Step 2: Using the same skillet you cooked the bacon in leaving some leftover bacon grease, add butter and diced jalapeno. Cook until soft.
- Step 3: Add flour and whisk to cook.
- Step 4: Add half and half and whisk so the flour isn’t clumpy. Add shredded cheddar and pepper Jack cheese and whisk to help melt the cheese.
- Step 5: Place cooked bacon and cooked pasta in the cheese sauce. Stir and mix together. Add salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Step 6: In a small mixing bowl, melt butter and add grated parmesan cheese and Panko breadcrumbs. Stir to combine.
- Step 7: Fold in mozzarella in the skillet with the mac and cheese.
- Step 8: Cover skillet with crunchy breadcrumbs mixture before baking until the top is starting to lightly brown and the sauce bubbles.
Recipe Tips
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet to make the sauce in, you can make this in a regular skillet and transfer everything to a baking dish before baking.
- Don’t overcook the pasta initially, it will continue to cook in the oven, so be sure to cook it under al dente at first!
- The best way to store leftovers is in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The topping make a change in consistency if left with the cheese sauce for a long time.
