This easy recipe has all the right stuff in it for making the ultimate comfort food, with the zing of jalapenos added in!

Classic Comfort Food

Rich, dreamy and oh so creamy, baked macaroni and cheese is one recipe that has all of the comforts of home.

Although we all adore it, once in a while even mac and cheese needs a swap-up and jalapeno popper mac and cheese is the answer!

Ingredients & Variations

PASTA Elbow macaroni is the usual choice, but any short or medium pasta will work! Try radiatori, rotini, or penne (or even sneak in whole grain pasta if desired)!

SEASONINGS Garlic powder is a must! Add in your favorite seasonings like Italian seasoning or even a bit of taco seasoning.

 

CHEESE Cream cheese is the secret ingredient for this creamy sauce. Not only is it creamy but just like in jalapeno poppers, it balances the spice a bit. Sharp cheddar is best for ultimate flavor, but can be mixed with others like jalapeno jack or tex-mex!

JALAPENOS I prefer to use jarred, canned or pickled jalapenos in this recipe as they already have a soft texture. If you’d like to use fresh jalapenos, they should be roasted and seeded first.

How to Make Jalapeño Mac and Cheese

Here’s a quick overview of how to make this tasty dish!

  • Cook pasta al dente, and drain. Combine topping ingredients.
  • Make sauce according to directions below. Once creamy, remove from heat and add cheddar and jalapenos.
  • Toss sauce and pasta and top with breadcrumbs.

Bake until bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Perfection.

Cheesy Tips

When making a cheese sauce, remove the sauce from the heat before adding the cheese. If heated at a high temperature, the cheese can separate causing an oily sauce. If there isn’t enough heat to melt the cheese, ensure the mixture is heated at a low temperature while stirring.

When melting cheese in a sauce, it’s best to shred your own cheese. While pre-shredded cheeses are handy, they are tossed with anti-caking agents that don’t always melt smoothly.

A sharp cheddar will add the best cheesy flavor to this dish.

Favorite Mac and Cheese Dishes

  • Velveeta Mac and Cheese – extra creamy & delicious
  • Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Bites – easy appetizer
  • Baked Mac and Cheese – fav comfort food
  • Pesto Mac and Cheese – a fun twist on a classic
  • Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese – boiled in milk
  • Extra Creamy Lobster Mac and Cheese – rich and creamy

Did you love this Jalapeno Mac and Cheese? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

Baked Jalapeño Mac & Cheese

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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