Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese
Spicy jalepeños and crispy bacon bits are stirred into mac and cheese to create the ultimate comfort food side dish! If you love jalapeño poppers, you’re going to go nuts for this Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese!
About This Recipe
If a jalapeño popper ran into homemade mac and cheese, this recipe would be the delicious result. World, meet jalapeño bacon mac and cheese!
Pasta is cooked until al dente before being coated in a slightly spicy, ultra creamy cheese sauce that’s been spiked with jalapeño and poblano peppers. Crispy bacon bits add an extra layer of flavor and texture, while driving home that jalapeño popper flavor.
Once combined, the mac and cheese mixture is topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown.
This would be an unexpected side dish to serve at traditional holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it would be especially perfect for game days and Super Bowl parties alongside your favorite appetizers and finger foods.
Tools You’ll Need
You’ll need the following kitchen tools to prepare the creamy macaroni and cheese with bacon and jalapeño peppers:
- Large Pot and Strainer — You’ll want to cook the pasta just until al dente and drain it well.
- Large Dutch Oven — For making the cheese sauce. If you don’t own a Dutch oven, use another sturdy saucepan.
- Whisk — The cheese sauce needs to be whisked well to remove any clumps.
- Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife — For chopping the peppers and bacon.
- Liquid Measuring Cup — For measuring the milk.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons — For measuring the cheeses and dry ingredients.
- Casserole Dish — Use a 3.5-quart or 9×13-inch baking dish.
Recipe Ingredients
There are three elements to this recipe: the noodles, the jalapeño bacon cheese sauce, and the breadcrumb topping. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bacon Bits (i.e. cooked and crumbled bacon – do not use store-bought bacon bits!)
- Butter
- Yellow Onion
- Jalapeño Peppers
- Poblano Pepper
- All-Purpose Flour
- Whole Milk
- Pepper Jack Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- Ground Nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and Pepper
- Pasta (I used cavatappi)
- Breadcrumbs (I crushed up homemade croutons)
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
How to Make Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Cook the pasta: Follow package instructions and boil just until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Saute the onion in melted butter until tender. Add in the chopped jalepeños and poblano. Whisk in the flour, followed by the milk. Add the Pepper Jack and cream cheese and whisk until smooth. Add the spices.
- Add the pasta and bacon: Stir well to coat the pasta in the spicy cheese sauce.
- Assemble and bake: Turn the mac and cheese into a casserole dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake just until the topping is golden and the edges are bubbling.
The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Don’t over cook the pasta. Boil the pasta just until al dente (i.e. still has some bite to it). The pasta will soak up some of the cheese sauce as the mac and cheese bakes, which will further soften it.
- Grate your own cheese. If possible, buy a block of Pepper Jack cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses don’t always melt well and can sometimes make your mac and cheese grainy.
- Make this recipe more or less spicy. We love making this jalapeño and bacon mac and cheese with two jalapeño peppers, one poblano, and a sprinkle of cayenne. If that’s too much heat for you, omit the cayenne and / or use just one jalapeño.
- Use any pasta shape. I used cavatappi, but any short and sturdy pasta shape may be used. (Bowtie, macaroni, ziti, penne, shells, etc. all will work.)
Recipe FAQs
Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.
Can the bacon be omitted?
Of course! Your mac and cheese won’t have the same jalapeño popper flavor, but you can absolutely omit the cooked and crumbled bacon if desired.
Likewise, you can use turkey bacon or a bacon alternative if you don’t eat traditional pork bacon.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
In theory, yes, you should be able to use gluten-free macaroni and a gluten-free all-purpose flour alternative (or possibly even a smaller amount of cornstarch).
I haven’t tested this recipe using gluten-free ingredients, but this recipe should be easy enough to make gluten-free.
Can this recipe be assembled in advance?
Yes! To assemble the mac and cheese in advance:
- Cook the pasta 3 to 4 minutes less than the box instructs.
- Toss the pasta with the cheese sauce as instructed.
- Transfer to a casserole dish and cover with plastic wrap or foil.
- Chill overnight.
- When ready to bake, set on your counter while the oven preheats. Top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake as instructed (plan to add an extra 5 – 10 minutes since it will be going into the oven while still cold from the fridge).
Storage Instructions
Leftover jalapeño bacon mac and cheese should be covered tightly with plastic wrap or transferred to an airtight container. It will last up to 5 days in the fridge.
To reheat, add a splash of milk or broth and warm for 5 to 10 minutes in a 325ºF oven.
Can this be frozen?
Yes, you can also freeze this dish. Let it cool to room temperature before wrapping in plastic wrap and freezing.
To reheat from frozen, transfer directly to the oven (do not thaw first and make sure you’re using a freezer- and oven-safe casserole dish!). Enjoy within 3 months.
What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
Pair the slightly spicy, super creamy mac and cheese with your favorite main dishes and sides:
- Vegetables: Grilled Asparagus, Sauteed Kale, Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes, Honey Balsamic Carrots.
- Salads: Caesar Salad, Spinach Pear Salad, Butternut Squash Salad.
- Protein: Grilled BBQ Chicken, Grilled Chimichurri Skirt Steak, Smoked Drumsticks, Honey Mustard Chicken.
Try Making Mac and Cheese with Jalapeños!
Next time you’re looking for a spicy mac and cheese recipe, give this jalapeño bacon version a try!
Did you love how rich and creamy the cheese sauce was? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought.
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see a photo of your mac and cheese!
More Easy Mac and Cheese Recipes:
This Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is made with a creamy cheese sauce that’s loaded with sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated Parmesan, chopped kale, and crispy bacon.
Southwestern Mac and Cheese features penne with cheddar, pepper jack, green chiles, tomatoes, and plenty of southwestern seasonings.
In this Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, penne pasta is coated in a creamy sauce made of pureed butternut squash, parmesan, and sharp white cheddar with bacon and fresh sage.
Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.
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Jalapeño Bacon Mac n Cheese
Spicy jalepeños and crispy bacon bits are stirred into mac and cheese to create the ultimate comfort food side dish! If you love jalapeño poppers, you’re going to go nuts for this Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese!
Ingredients
- 10 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 jalapeños, deseeded and minced
- 1 poblano, deseeded and diced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 8 ounces pepper jack cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- dash cayenne, optional
- dash nutmeg, optional
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lb. pasta (I used cavatappi)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed croutons)
Instructions
Boiling the Pasta
- Cook pasta 1 to 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Cooking the Peppers
- In a large French or Dutch oven, melt the butter. Saute the onion for 3 - 5 minutes over medium heat, or until tender and golden.
- Add the poblano and jalapeños and saute an additional minute or two.
Making the Cheese Sauce
- Whisk in the flour and cook over medium heat till golden.
- Slowly whisk in the milk while cooking over medium heat.
- Stir in the Pepper Jack and cream cheese, whisking until melted and creamy. Add the nutmeg, cayenne, black pepper, and salt (if desired).
- Bring to a slow simmer, and then stir in the pasta and bacon.
Baking the Mac and Cheese
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a 3 1/2 quart oven-safe casserole dish or cast iron pan. Sprinkle the top with the breadcrumbs (or crushed croutons).
- Bake at 375 degrees F on the center rack in the oven for 10-20 minutes, or until the mixture is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip: try this tip for making Perfect Homemade Bacon Bits to use for your cooked and crumbled bacon in this recipe.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 611mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 20g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Nancy @ imadethisdish says
Hi Katie! Thanks a lot for sharing this awesome recipe. It’s like taking favorite college mac-n-cheese recipe and elevating it to another level! Soooo goood!
bev @ bevcooks says
Oooooooo I’m going in.