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Delicious jalapeño popper mac and cheese served in a bowl

Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

A delicious blend of creamy mac and cheese with a spicy jalapeño twist, perfect for gatherings and a comforting weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni (or your pasta of choice)
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Topping
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2-3 fresh jalapeños, diced (remove seeds for less heat)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Preparing the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
  2. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the shredded cheddar, cream cheese, and pepper jack cheese, mixing until all are melted and creamy. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat.
Preparing the Topping and Baking
  1. In a bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, grated Parmesan, and diced jalapeños.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the topping over the macaroni mixture.
  3. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy.
  4. Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and serve warm.

Notes

For extra crunch, add a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips to the breadcrumb topping. You can also make this dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake.