Creamy Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

Name: Creamy Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound elbow macaroni; 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 4 fresh jalapeños, seeded and diced; 4 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup all purpose flour; 3 cups whole milk; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons melted butter; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and black pepper to taste

This comforting pasta dish brings all the spicy, cheesy goodness of a jalapeño popper into one cozy bowl.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

35 minutes

Total

50 minutes

Serves

If you love a good jalapeño popper, you are going to fall head over heels for this mac and cheese. It is the perfect blend of creamy sauce, spicy peppers, and salty bacon that makes everyone come back for a second helping.

My favorite trick for this recipe is to make sure you shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying the pre shredded kind. It melts so much smoother and gives you that perfect cheese pull we all crave.

🧺 Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 fresh jalapeños, seeded and diced
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until it is just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced jalapeños and cook for about 3 minutes until softened.
4
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
5
Stir in the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar until the sauce is smooth and melted.
6
Add the cooked pasta and half of the bacon to the sauce, stirring until everything is well coated. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
7
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
8
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter, then sprinkle this over the top of the macaroni along with the remaining bacon.
9
Bake for 20 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, add a splash of milk to the dish so the sauce stays creamy. This pairs wonderfully with a simple green side salad to balance out the richness.

#pasta #comfort food #dinner #mac and cheese #spicy

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