Bacon jalapeno popper macaroni and cheese - just like bacon jalapeno poppers but with the addition of elbow pasta! Creamy, flavorful, spicy!
I am so excited to introduce my new favorite way to eat mac and cheese: with bacon and canned jalapenos! This dish is so good, I am speechless. I've been eating a whole pan of this mac and cheese for the last 3 days, and I can't stop - I just made another half a batch!
You can't go wrong with this combination of ingredients. Your taste buds will thank you. You will make your spouse moan. Your friends and co-workers will love you even more. What also makes me speechless is how easy it was to make the whole thing - the recipe takes only 30 minutes.
Here is how easy it is to make this bacon jalapeno popper mac and cheese:
- Combine and heat milk, cheddar cheese and a little bit of cream cheese on medium heat until creamy
- Add cooked elbow macaroni
- Add cooked bacon and diced jalapenos
- Cook the mac and cheese for a couple of minutes to heat up all the ingredients and infuse the flavors. That's it! You have one of the best mac and cheese's you'll ever taste!
I don't even have to say this, but: if you love bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, you'll love this dish!
Bacon Jalapeno Popper Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 ⅓ cups milk (may use more milk if needed)
- 1 ⅓ cups sharp cheddar cheese , shredded
- ⅓ cup cream cheese , softened
- 10 strips bacon , cooked and diced
- ¼ cup jalapeno peppers , marinated, from the can, finely chopped
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat milk in a large saucepan - add cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Without bringing the mixture to boil, heat it gently, constantly stirring until all cheese is melted. If the sauce is too thick - add more milk. If the sauce appears too watery - it's OK. Once you add the pasta, the pasta will absorb some of the liquid, which will thicken the sauce.
- In the mean time, cook elbow macaroni al dente - drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Add macaroni to the sauce and continue cooking the sauce with the pasta in it, on medium heat, for a couple of minutes stirring constantly to coat well.
- Add cooked bacon (already chopped into small bits) and chopped jalapenos (from the can) and stir. Add more jalapenos if you like it spicier.
- Only after you added bacon and jalapenos, you can season with salt and pepper if desired - do not add salt until this point because the bacon and the marinated jalapenos will bring saltiness to the dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I don't usually comment on recipes but I had to on this. I made this a little while back and it was so good. I'm grilling out today for memorial day and was looking through my pinned sides. Nothing sounded good until I saw this. Thanks so much for the recipe. I'll be making it often. Yum!
This recipe is OFF THE HOOK good. I am addicted. It is so easy and the flavor is perfect. We like spicy so we do add a little more jalapeño then it calls for, but the recommended amount is perfect if you want flavor without heat. EXCELLENT!