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Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

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A creamy and spicy mac and cheese featuring diced jalapeños, cream cheese, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and crumbled bacon, topped with a buttery panko breadcrumb crust and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded, membranes removed, 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 bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish.
  2. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions, drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil and 3 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat.
  4. Add diced jalapeños and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
  5. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
  6. Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream until smooth.
  7. Cook the sauce, whisking occasionally until bubbles form and it thickens, about 5 minutes.
  8. Whisk in cream cheese and Tabasco sauce until melted and well combined.
  9. Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and whisk until smooth.
  10. Add 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese and continue whisking until cheese sauce is creamy and thick.
  11. Stir in cooked pasta until fully coated with cheese sauce.
  12. Pour half the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish.
  13. Top with 2 cups shredded cheddar, two-thirds of the crumbled bacon, then the remaining mac and cheese.
  14. In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and smoked paprika.
  15. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top and bake for about 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
  16. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining bacon and jalapeño slices if desired.
  17. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use red Thai peppers for extra spice. Gradually add cheese to achieve a creamy sauce texture. Best served hot right out of the oven but leftovers reheat well.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.receipster.com/jalapeno-popper-mac-cheese/

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