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Jalapeno Popper Mac 'n Cheese
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Prep Time:
25 minutes
Cook Time:
65 minutes
Total Time:
100 minutes
Elevate classic mac 'n cheese with a rich cheese sauce, fiery jalapenos, and a crunchy bacon panko topping for a mouthwatering popper-inspired twist!
Ingredients:
  • 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
  • 0.25 cup butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 5 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, or more to taste
  • 1 (8 ounce) package light processed cheese food (such as Velveeta Light®), cubed
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 pinch salt to taste
  • 3 slices bacon
  • 0.33333334326744 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into thin rings
Instructions:
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and generously grease a 1 1/2-quart baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Boil elbow macaroni until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to pot; set aside.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and jalapenos, cooking until just softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, ensuring they're well coated. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Simmer while whisking until thickened, approximately 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
  • Flavor the sauce with garlic powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Add processed cheese and cream cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce is smooth, approximately 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt.
  • Coat the macaroni thoroughly with the creamy cheese sauce before transferring it to the baking dish.
  • In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, for about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels and let it cool briefly.
  • Combine crumbled bacon with panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Evenly sprinkle over the macaroni and garnish with jalapeno slices.
  • Bake without a cover until golden and bubbling, for 30 to 40 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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