Creamy Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese
Servings: 8
Calories: 945kcal
Extra creamy, extra cheesy with spicy diced jalapenos and crispy, salty bacon. This creamy jalapeno bacon mac and cheese is a delicious bowl of comfort food that is perfect as a meal or side.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup butter salted
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 6 oz cheddar cheese 3 cups shredded
- 6 oz Monterey jack cheese 3 cups shredded
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3-4 jalapenos finely diced
- 1/2 pound bacon cooked and diced
- 2 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of water. Once the water is boiling, add the macaroni noodles and cook until they reach al dente stage. Drain and set aside.
- While the noodles are cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large pot or dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat and add the diced jalapenos. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the jalapenos begin to soften.
- Add the flour, cream cheese, and seasonings and stir with the melted butter until it thickens.
- Stir in the milk and cream. Once the milk is warm, add the cheese 1/3 at a time, stirring until melted until all of the cheese is added, the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not allow the cheese sauce to boil.
- Add the cooked noodles to the pot and stir to combine. Allow the pasta to heat until the cheese sauce has thickened. This should take 3-5 minutes.
- Add the cooked, diced bacon to the pot, stir to combine, and serve.
Notes
Be sure you are using freshly shredded cheese, not packaged pre-shredded cheese. Packaged shredded cheese contains additives that will result in a grainy cheese sauce.
If you do not have cooked bacon on hand, you can cook it before you begin the sauce. Dice the bacon and saute it in the dutch oven until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain all but two tablespoons of the bacon grease. Reduce the butter to 2 tablespoons and proceed with the recipe as directed.
Nutrition
Calories: 945kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 72g | Saturated Fat: 38g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 444mg | Potassium: 364mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1581IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 463mg | Iron: 1mg