Jalapeño Popper Mac 'n Cheese

Mac 'n cheese is upgraded with a creamy, flavorful cheese sauce, spicy jalapeño peppers, and a crispy panko and bacon topping in this popper-style dish that's sure to be a hit!

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 333 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pinch salt to taste
• 3 slices bacon
• 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 5 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, or more to taste
• 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 1 (8 ounce) package light processed cheese food (such as Velveeta Light®), cubed
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup butter
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 0.33333334326744 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
• 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into thin rings

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to pot; set aside.

Step 2

Season sauce with garlic powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in processed cheese and cream cheese until melted and sauce is smooth, about 5 minutes. Season with salt.

Step 3

Pour macaroni into cheese sauce and stir to coat completely. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

Step 4

Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels. Cool briefly.

Step 5

Bake, uncovered, until browned and bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Step 6

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 ½-quart baking dish.

Step 7

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeños; cook until just softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in flour, coating vegetables well. Whisk in milk slowly until smooth. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly until thickened, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

Step 8

Crumble bacon and mix with panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni. Top with jalapeño slices.