Description
A delicious and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe with the added flavor of bacon and jalapeños, perfect for those looking for a spicy twist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (rotini preferred)
- 1/2 lb bacon (Cherry wood smoked bacon)
- 1–2 jalapeños (diced)
- 3 tablespoons 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 teaspoons salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Panko topping:
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Instructions
- Cook pasta for 2 minutes under al dente. Strain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Panko crumbs, and parmesan cheese, then set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Chop raw bacon into bite-sized pieces. Cook in a skillet on medium-high heat until crispy, then drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet, drain all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat. Add butter and diced jalapeños, cooking until soft (about 1 minute).
- Add flour and whisk for about 30 seconds to cook the flour slightly. Reduce heat and add half n half, whisking until smooth.
- Turn off heat and add shredded cheese and cooked bacon, whisking until combined. Incorporate the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Pour mixture into a baking dish or leave in the cast iron skillet, fold in mozzarella cheese, and top with Panko crumbs.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is slightly brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Let set for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of jalapeños based on your spice preference.
- For a crispier topping, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg