Jalapeno Popper Mac 'n Cheese

With an abundance of jalapenos in the garden, I was looking for new ways to use them, and this popper mac 'n cheese is a great one! This recipe is easily adjustable to add more heat or to take it away. The amount of jalapenos used in this recipe will yield a nice, spicy mac 'n cheese without being too over-the-top spicy. The mac 'n cheese itself is rich and creamy. Enjoy!

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

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pinch salt to taste
• 3 slices bacon
• 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, or more to taste
• 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 5 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced (Optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package light processed cheese food (such as Velveeta Light®), cubed
• ⅓ cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
• 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into thin rings (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2-quart baking dish.

Step 2

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 3

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and jalapenos; 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 4

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 5

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

Step 6

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 7

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

Step 8

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