Bacon Jalapeno Macaroni & Cheese

Homemade macaroni and cheese taken to the next level with the addition of bacon and jalapenos!

Few things are better than homemade macaroni and cheese, but when you add in crispy bacon and some heat with jalapenos, you have reached a whole new level with this incredible, perfectly creamy dish!

About This Recipe  

Not one, not two, but THREE cheeses make this macaroni and cheese absolutely amazing! The addition of half & half gives the cheeses a perfectly rich and creamy sauce. Two jalapenos gives a nice heat without making it too hot, but you can always kick up the heat more by adding additional jalapenos - or other types of peppers - make it your own!

macaroni, cheese, bacon, jalapeno

main dish or side dish

American

Yield: 12

Author: Mama P

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BACON JALAPENO MACARONI & CHEESE

This incredible macaroni and cheese is perfect for a pitch-in, as a side dish, or as a stand alone dish! Whenever you combine bacon and jalapenos, you know it's going to be something extra special! The jalapenos add the perfect amount of heat while the creamy combination of cheeses tantalize your tastebuds!

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

• 16 ounces pasta
• 1/2 - 3/4 lb. bacon
• 2 jalapeno peppers
• 5 Tbsp. butter
• 2/3 cup flour
• 1 quart half & half
• 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 tsp. bacon smoked sea salt *
• 1 tsp. black pepper

Panko Topping

• 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 3 Tbsp. butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly coat 9"x13" pan or baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Cook pasta 2 minutes under al dente.
3. Make panko topping: in a small bowl, melt butter. Add panko crumbs and parmesan cheese; set aside.
4. Cut raw bacon into bite-size pieces. Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, but leave the grease in the pan.
5. Add the 5 Tbsp. butter and diced jalapenos to the bacon grease and cook for 1-2 minutes, until jalapenos are soft.
6. Reduce heat; add flour to jalapenos and whisk together until smooth. Slowly add the half & half, stirring constantly until completely mixed.
7. Turn off heat and add all of the shredded cheeses , the bacon, the bacon smoked sea salt, and the pepper. Whisk until combined.
8. Drain the pasta and add it to the cheese mixture; mix well.
9. Pour macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish.
10. Sprinkle the panko topping over the macaroni and cheese and then sprinkle with a little more bacon smoked sea salt, if desired (it adds a nice crunch to the topping).
11. Bake for 20 minutes.

Notes

Before Getting Stated:

• Cheeses: shred the cheeses or use prepackaged shredded cheeses
• Jalapeños: dice into small pieces
• Bacon: cut raw bacon into bite-size pieces

**Bacon Smoked Sea Salt is from "The Spice & Tea Exchange"

Nutrition Facts

Calories

677

Fat

52

Sat. Fat

27

Carbs

32

Fiber

7

Net carbs

25

Sugar

14

Protein

27

Sodium

532

Cholesterol

168

**Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary

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