Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min.
Yield 8 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Jalapeno mac and cheese is a spicy riff on the classic comfort dish; it combines spicy peppers with rich cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain; set aside.
  2. In a large sauce pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeno; cook until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook one minute longer. Stir in flour until well combined. Gradually add milk and cream; bring to a simmer. Cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, salt and pepper; stir until cheese has melted. Mix in cooked macaroni.
  3. Transfer mixture to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden brown, 20-25 minutes.
Get ready for a comfort food riff on the classic jalapeno popper appetizer! First, chop up a few spicy peppers and add them to a rich pasta sauce filled with gooey mozzarella, sharp cheddar and cream cheese, then bake it to create a melty center and crispy top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Recipe Creator

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