Description
If you’re a fan of creamy, comforting mac and cheese, get ready to take your taste buds on a flavor-packed adventure with this Loaded Jalapeño Popper Mac recipe. By blending together a rich, cheesy sauce, crispy bacon, and a delightful punch of heat from fresh jalapeños, this dish is the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp garlic powder
4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 jalapeños, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Breadcrumbs (optional topping)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt the cream cheese with the milk over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Reduce heat to low, gradually add shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese, whisking until melted and creamy. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in diced jalapeños and half the crumbled bacon. Fold in cooked macaroni until fully coated.
4. Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining bacon and optional breadcrumbs. Broil 2-3 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
The key to a perfectly creamy and spicy Loaded Jalapeño Popper Mac is to melt the cheeses slowly and gently, allowing them to fully incorporate into the sauce. This ensures a silky-smooth texture that coats every nook and cranny of the pasta. Feel free to customize with different cheeses or adjust the spice level to your liking!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg