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Crispy Bacon Jalapeño Baked Mac and Cheese

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This baked mac and cheese features smoky bacon, spicy jalapeños, and a blend of creamy cheeses, all topped with a crunchy golden breadcrumb crust. It’s a bold, comforting twist on classic mac and cheese that’s perfect for dinner, potlucks, or game night.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni (about 3 cups dry)
  • 8 slices thick-cut smoked bacon (about 6 oz), chopped
  • 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup gouda cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional for extra richness)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing pan)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just shy of al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat in skillet.
  4. Add chopped jalapeños to reserved bacon fat and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  5. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer until thickened, about 4–5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
  6. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in cheddar, gouda, and Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
  7. In a large bowl, combine cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, sautéed jalapeños, and half the crispy bacon. Stir gently until well mixed.
  8. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining bacon on top.
  9. In a small bowl, mix panko bread crumbs with 2 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over mac and cheese.
  10. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until top is golden brown and bubbly. For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely.
  11. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF pasta and bread crumbs. For vegetarian, skip bacon and add smoked paprika or mushrooms. Use freshly grated cheese for best texture. Adjust jalapeño seeds for desired heat. Can be assembled ahead and baked later. Leftovers freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, bacon, jalapeño, baked, comfort food, dinner, casserole, cheesy, smoky, easy, potluck

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/crispy-bacon-jalape-n-o-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-smoky-and-perfect-for-dinner/