Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese

🧂 Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for this homemade mac with creamy cheese sauce:

• elbow pasta
• butter
• all-purpose flour
• whole milk
• heavy whipping cream
• cream cheese
• sharp white cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese 
• garlic powder OR granulated garlic
• bacon
• pickled jalapeños OR fresh jalapeños
• Panko breadcrumbs

This is meant to be a brief overview of this Spicy Mac and Cheese recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.

🔪Instructions

1. Prepare the macaroni noodles according to package directions as you prepare the cheese sauce. Drain when al dente, but do not rinse.
2. Place 6 Tablespoons of the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
3. Once butter is melted, stir in the flour to form a paste.
4. Whisk in the milk, ensuring the flour mixture dissolves completely.
5. Add in the heavy whipping cream, cream cheese and 1-½ cups of the cheese. Stir occasionally until cheeses are completely melted.
6. Chop all but a few of the jalapeno poppers, reserving a few for garnish.
7. Stir in the garlic powder, the chopped jalapenos and most of the bacon, reserving some for garnish.
8. Fold the macaroni and cheese into a 8" x 8" casserole dish.
9. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F.
10. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 Tablespoons butter.
11. Once melted and hot, stir in the breadcrumbs and toast until golden. Remove from heat.
12. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the macaroni and cheese, followed by the toasted breadcrumbs and reserved bacon and jalapenos.
13. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is fully melted and as browned as you'd like.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

• Large stock pot
• Colander
• Whisk and Wooden Spoon
• Skillet
• Liquid Measuring Cup and Dry Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• 8x8 Square Baking Dish (or 9x9)

Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier!  Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤

To Make this Ahead

If you are making this ahead of time, leave the bacon out and do not put the panko breadcrumb topping on until later. Follow all of the other instructions, however, stop before baking it. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate.

When you are ready to serve, take the mac and cheese out of the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter while you preheat the oven to 350-degrees F and follow the following steps:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons butter.
2. Once melted and hot, stir in the breadcrumbs and toast until golden. Remove from heat.
3. Place the baking dish in the oven with the aluminum foil on for 10 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and discard the aluminum foil.
5. Then, sprinkle ½ cup cheese over the macaroni and cheese, followed by the toasted breadcrumbs and bacon and jalapeños.
6. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until cheese is fully melted, the dish is warmed through and the top is as golden brown as you'd like.

⏲️ Storage

To Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.

To Reheat: Thaw completely and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through.

To Freeze: Place individual portions in airtight containers and freeze. Be sure to label and date the container.

To Thaw: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating.

(These are my favorite airtight containers.)

💭 Frequently Asked Questions

📖 Variations

We recommend that you try our jalapeño popper mac and cheese for the first time just as it is written for the best results because that is we have tested the recipe.

However, the next time you make it, you might consider one of these different ways of making this great recipe.

• Most often mac and cheese is made with elbow macaroni. Obviously, you can make this recipe using any type of pasta shape that is short. Look for ones with lots of nooks and crannies that will hold the cheese sauce well like bowties, or my personal favorite, cavatappi.
• Omit the bacon for a vegetarian mac and cheese.
• Instead of pickled jalapeños, use fresh. Remove the seeds and membranes for less heat, or leave them in if you like it hot!
• For an even spicier mac, use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar or Monterey Jack. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper (chili powder) or dash of hot sauce to get the right amount of spice for your family.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

Since this is a heavier dish, serve it as a main meal with a light side salad or veggie like Garlic Green Beans. You might like to serve it as a side dish to our Grilled Chipotle Marinated Chicken or Petite Sirloin Steak.

😋 Similar Recipes

When it comes to pasta, hands down my favorite is mac and cheese! I can't get enough of it. Here are a few recipes you might like to try:

• Best Instant Pot Mac and Cheese - simple recipe made right in the Instant Pot using sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheese. This one is a great weeknight dinner.
• Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese - slow cooker pork and creamy mac and cheese make for an awesome Sunday supper kind of meal. It's a great way to use up pulled pork leftovers.
• Sausage Mac and Cheese - loaded with smoked sausage and peppers, this mac is great for game day or potlucks.

You'll also like this Tuna Noodle Casserole from Grumpy's Honeybunch.