Bacon Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1/2 lb bacon
I used Cherry wood smoked bacon
- 1-2 jalapenos diced
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 3 cups half n half
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
- 1-2 teaspoon Salt according to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
Directions
- 1
Cook pasta 2 minutes under al dente. (It will cook more in the oven) strain and set aside.
- 2
In a small bowl with melted butter add Panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, and butter mix and set aside.
- 3
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- 4
Chop raw bacon up into bite-size pieces. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and cook bacon until crispy and let drain on paper towels.
- 5
In the same cast-iron skillet, drain all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat. Add butter, diced jalapeno, and cook just until soft about 1 minute. Add flour and whisk together for about 30 seconds to cook the flour a bit. Reduce heat and add half n half and whisk until all clumps are out.
- 6
Turn off heat and add shredded cheese and cooked bacon and whisk until combined. Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- 7
Pour mac n cheese into a baking dish, or leave in cast iron skillet fold in mozzarella cheese and top with Panko crumbs.
- 8
Bake for 20 minutes
Bacon Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese
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About this Recipe
When you crave ultimate comfort food with a kick, this Bacon Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese delivers an irresistible blend of creamy, cheesy goodness and smoky spice. It's the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, making any meal feel special.
What sets this dish apart is the thoughtful combination of three distinct cheeses—sharp cheddar, spicy pepper jack, and melty mozzarella—creating a complex flavor profile and luxurious texture. The cherry wood smoked bacon infuses every bite with a rich, savory depth, perfectly balancing the bright heat of fresh jalapeños. This isn't just mac and cheese; it's an experience built on layers of flavor and satisfying textures.
Prepare for a rich, velvety cheese sauce that clings beautifully to every piece of pasta, offering a sublime contrast to the crisp, smoky bacon bits and the vibrant zing of diced jalapeño. The golden, buttery Panko bread crumb topping, mixed with shredded Parmesan, adds a crucial textural element, providing a satisfying crunch that elevates each spoonful. This is a hearty, flavorful dish designed to satisfy your deepest comfort food cravings, delivering a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, smoky, and spicy.
While this recipe shines as is, you can easily tweak it to your preference. For less heat, remove all seeds and membranes from the diced jalapeños. Want even more smoky flavor? Experiment with different bacon varieties, or even add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce. You can also play with the cheese blend; consider adding a touch of smoked gouda or gruyere for an extra layer of depth alongside the existing cheeses.
This Bacon Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese is perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, a show-stopping potluck contribution, or a hearty side dish for a casual gathering. Serve it alongside a simple green salad to cut through the richness, or as the star of your comfort food spread.