↑
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Breakfast Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • Side Dishes
  • Recipes
    • Dinners
    • Slow Cooker
    • Appetizers and Sides
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Kid-Friendly
  • Blog View
  • About
    • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Blog View
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise/PR
  • DISNEY
  • DINNERS
  • DRINKS
  • DESSERTS

Mom On Timeout

Serving up real food for real families!

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Appetizers and Sides
    • Breakfast
    • Entree
    • Dessert
    • Beverages
    • Holiday Recipes
      • Christmas Recipes
      • Thanksgiving Recipes
      • Valentine’s Day Recipes
      • St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
      • Easter Recipes
      • Halloween Recipes
    • Bread
    • Kid-Friendly
  • 5 Ingredients
  • Appetizers
  • Favorites


free email course!

5 SECRETS TO GETTING DINNER ON THE TABLE...FAST!

You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

December 4, 2018

  • 143
Jump to Recipe
baked-jalapeno-popper-mac-and-cheese-recipe-collage

The BEST Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese you’ll ever try! Extra creamy, loaded with bacon, cream cheese, jalapeños, and kicked up a notch with TABASCO® Sauce, this delicious and easy mac and cheese is sure to be a new favorite! Bacon lover? Make sure to try this Baked Bacon Cheese Dip and Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon!

Sponsored by TABASCO® Brand.

jalapeno-popper-baked-mac-and-cheese-title

Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

What is more comforting that mac and cheese? I mean, nothing, right? Creamy, cheesy, loaded with yummy carbs – it’s seriously the ultimate comfort food.

Last year I shared these Easy Jalapeño Popper Bites that were loaded with bacon and I still have dreams about that yumminess. I decided it was high time to turn it into some mac and cheese. Boom!

What’s In This Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese Recipe

This jalapeños popper mac and cheese recipe features all the components of a jalapeño popper that we all know and love:

  • cream cheese
  • jalapeños
  • crunchy panko topping
  • and BACON!

jalapeno-popper-mac-and-cheese-tabasco

Tips for the Best Baked Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

  • Using block cheese is the way to go when you’re making mac and cheese. The pre-shredded cheese is coated and won’t melt properly. Grate it yourself for the best results.
  • Cook your pasta to slightly less than al dente, about one minute shy is perfect – that’s about 7 minutes for macaroni.The reason is that this is baked mac and cheese so the pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
  • I used elbow pasta but really, any tubular, short pasta will work.
  • The roux is super important to getting the creamiest cheese sauce. Three things to look for:
    • The roux (equal parts butter and flour) is whisked together until bubbly and golden.
    • Whisk in cold milk – not warm – to prevent the flour from clumping.
    • Cook the roux, stirring nearly constantly, until  you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes before adding the cheese. This will keep the sauce from turning grainy.

baked-jalapeno-popper-mac-and-cheese-recipe

You’ll notice this recipe calls for two jalapeños. I removed the seeds and membranes before dicing which cuts down on the heat a bit. I mean, this is Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese so a little heat should be expected. If you’re like whaaaat? Bring on the spicy! Keep the seeds and membranes intact and dice away OR add another jalapeño.

I further tame those spicy jalapeños by sautéing in butter. This also serves another purpose as it gives the cheese sauce amazing flavor. I add back in a little heat and lots of flavor by adding in some TABASCO® Sauce.

jalapeno-popper-mac-and-cheese-recipe

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese: What Kind of Cheese Should I Use?

For this recipe, I kept the cheeses more mellow so the cream cheese flavor would have a chance to shine through, emphasizing it’s jalapeño popper roots. While I frequently use Gruyere, the flavor is just too strong for this mac and cheese recipe. The combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella works perfectly. Other cheese that work: jack cheese or pepper jack for a little zip, American and Velveeta as well for a creamier cheese sauce.

More Easy Dinner Recipes To Try

  1. Easy Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
  2. Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil
  3. Easy Lazy Day Lasagna
  4. The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
  5. The BEST Tater Tot Casserole

How To Make Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

jalapeno-popper-baked-mac-and-cheese-title
Print Pin
5 from 11 votes

The BEST Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

The BEST Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese you'll ever try! Extra creamy, loaded with bacon, cream cheese, jalapeños, and kicked up a notch with TABASCO® Sauce, this delicious and easy mac and cheese is sure to be a new favorite! 
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword jalapeno popper mac and cheese, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 760kcal
Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni cooked (or other tubular pasta)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 jalapeños seeded, membranes removed, and diced
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 6 oz cream cheese cut into cubes
  • 2 tsp TABASCO® Sauce
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 12 oz bacon cooked and crumbled

Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
  • 4 tbsp butter melted
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika or regular paprika

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish and set aside. Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the package instructions. Remove from heat, drain, and place in a large bowl.
  • Drizzle pasta with olive oil and stir to coat pasta. Set aside to cool while preparing cheese sauce.
  • Melt butter in a deep saucepan, dutch oven, or stock pot. Add diced jalapeños and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 minute until bubbly and golden.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until nice and smooth. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 minutes.
  • Whisk in cream cheese and TABASCO® sauce.
  • Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another one and a half cups of shredded cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce should be nice and thick.
  • Stir in the cooled pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.
  • Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese, two-thirds of the bacon and then the remaining mac and cheese.
  • In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. 
  • Top with remaining bacon and slices of jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 760kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 747mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1410IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 513mg | Iron: 1.5mg

baked-jalapeno-popper-mac-and-cheese-recipe-collage

trish-signature-block

For all appetizer recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
Sign up to get emails when I post new recipes!
For even more great ideas follow me on Facebook – Pinterest – Instagram – Twitter – Bloglovin’.

Have a great day!

free email course

5 SECRETS TO GETTING DINNER ON THE TABLE...FAST!

enjoy!
  • 143

By Trish - Mom On Timeout December 4, 2018 Bacon, Casseroles, Entree, Main Dish, Recipes

Previous article:
« 5 Minute Fantasy Bars – Just 4 Ingredients!
Next article:
25 Kitchen Gadgets Under $25 »

Comments

  1. DebK says

    January 23, 2021 at 2:45 PM

    This was absolutely amazing. Like another reader, I added a bit of blue cheese to the sauce – it was sooooo sooo good!

    Reply
  2. Venoice says

    April 30, 2019 at 4:23 PM

    I have followed you for a long time and have enjoyed your recipes. I copy your recipes so I can make the print larger. For the last two or three of your emails, I am unable to copy individual recipes – the only thing I am offered is “Copy All” – I don’t want pages and pages to be copied, just specific things.

    Do you have any idea why I can’t copy your recipes recently?? I would appreciate knowing if I am doing something wrong, because I find that I want a recipe or more from almost every mailing.

    Thank you for helping me get access to your recipes!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      May 5, 2019 at 5:40 PM

      Hmmm! I’m honestly not sure. I just tried to do it myself and I was able to highlight just the recipe. I will send a note to my technical support and let you know if they can come up with anything.

      Reply
  3. Heather says

    March 13, 2019 at 2:41 PM

    OMG!!! Just made this and went mac & cheese heaven! Such a super delicious recipe!!! Used a mix of Cheddar, Mozz and Monterrey Jack and it turned out delish!!! Such a keeper, thank you 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sara says

    February 3, 2019 at 1:48 PM

    This was AMAZING!! Made it today for the Super Bowl and have been sneaking some test bites… hands down creamiest, best Mac n cheese I’ve ever had. I cannot keep my boyfriend from digging forkfuls out of the casserole dish. I did sub out the Tabasco for sriracha though just due to taste preferences!

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      February 23, 2019 at 9:54 AM

      This makes me so happy Sara! Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, I’m Trish!

Welcome to Mom On Timeout where I’m serving up real food for real families! Dinners, desserts, and everything in between!
Read More…

categories

archives

Popular Posts

white bowl with handles filled with zuppa toscana soup and topped with cheese. Kale, sausage and bacon can be seen in the soup.
crockpot chili in a ladle held above the crockpot and the rest of the chili.
chicken-stir-fry
best-tater-tot-casserole-recipe-hamburger-green-beans

Some of my favorites…

lemon meringue cupcake with bite taken showing the lemon curd in the middle of the cupcake and the pretty white interior of the meringue.
mini cheesecakes sitting on a gray plate topped with whipped cream, raspberries and mint leaves.
cake made with cinnamon rolls on a white cake stand and topped with cream cheese frosting and mini cinnamon rolls.
one slice of lemon meringue cheesecake sitting on a white plate with the rest of the cheesecake seen in the background next to a small bottle of milk. lemon slices near the front of the plate.
Three creamsicle cookies stacked with the top cookie has a bite taken out of it.

Copyright ©2023, Mom On Timeout. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest