Bacon Jalapeno Mac n Cheese Recipe
This Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, and packed with bold flavors. Crispy bacon, spicy jalapeños, and a cheesy sauce come together for the ultimate comfort food. Topped with a crunchy Panko crust, it’s baked to golden perfection!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- ½ lb cherry wood smoked bacon
- 1-2 jalapeños diced
- 3 tbsp butter
- ⅓ cup flour
- 3 cups half & half
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1-2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Panko Topping
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Cook the pasta 2 minutes under al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet, remove all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat. Add butter and diced jalapeños, cooking until softened (about 1 minute).
- Stir in flour and whisk for 30 seconds, then reduce heat and slowly add half & half, whisking until smooth.
- Turn off the heat and stir in shredded cheese and cooked bacon until combined. Add the cooked pasta, mixing well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish (or leave in the skillet), fold in mozzarella, and top with the Panko mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Any short pasta like shells, macaroni, or penne will work.
- Make your own half & half by mixing equal parts heavy cream and whole milk.
- The cheese sauce may seem excessive at first, but the pasta will absorb it.