Jalapeno Popper Mac And Cheese (From A Box)
Jalapeno popper mac and cheese turns up the heat on a box of plain old mac and cheese! A couple of extra ingredients and you’ve got a spicy take on a comforting box of mac with all the flavors and crunch of the zesty appetizer.
I am making it my mission to conquer boxed mac and cheese.
Is it delicious as it is?
Yes.
Can you make it more delicious and turn it into a complete meal with only a little extra effort?
Also yes!
I mean we have Barbecue Chicken Mac And Cheese (From A Box) and Chicken & Broccoli Mac And Cheese (From A Box)
Those are both absolutely delicious meals but let’s turn up the heat just a little and add some extra creamy, spicy, crunchy jalapeno popper flavor.
The boxed mac and cheese does the heavy lifting, while you just mix in a few extra ingredients, top it with a buttery bread crumb topping, and pop it in the oven.
And the result?
Comforting, creamy, with a kick!
If you love mac and cheese and love a jalapeno popper you’ll love this!
Ingredients
To make this you’ll need:
- Boxed mac and cheese– A 24 ounce of the deluxe mac and cheese. This is the kind that has a packet of premade cheese sauce instead of the powdered mix.
- Jalapeno peppers– Seeded and diced
- Butter– Some to saute the peppers in
- Cream cheese– Softened
- Bacon– Cooked crisp and crumbled
- Heavy cream– Don’t substitute a lower fat dairy here.
- Hot sauce– This is optional and you can skip it if you don’t want any extra kick.
- Garlic powder
- Cheddar cheese– Shredded
- Bread crumb topping– Panko bread crumbs, smoked paprika, and melted butter
How to Make
Jalapeno popper mac and cheese is pretty easy!
Just cook the pasta according to the package directions.
While the pasta’s cooking, saute the peppers in 1 tablespoon of melted butter in a small skillet over medium heat just until they’ve begun to soften.
When the pasta is done, strain it and put it back in the pot.
Stir in the cheese sauce, cream cheese, cream, garlic powder, hot sauce, 3/4 of the bacon, softened peppers, and half the cheese until everything is evenly combined.
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a liberally greased baking dish and spread out in an even layer.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon evenly out overtop.
Mix together the bread crumbs, melted butter, and paprika and top the mac and cheese with the bread crumbs.
Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
Tips and Tricks
- Make it a complete meal and toss in some shredded chicken to the mac and cheese.
- Don’t skip removing the seeds from the peppers. The dish will be very spicy and may cause eye irritation when you saute the jalapenos if not seeded.
- The bacon is optional but highly recommended.
- Don’t have bread crumbs? Crush some Ritz style crackers instead and toss the cracker crumbs with melted butter and smoked paprika for the topping.
Other Jalapeno Popper Inspired Recipes
Jalapeno popper mac and cheese is one of the boldest ways to kick up a plain old box of mac and cheese!
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for other jalapeno popper inspired recipes?
Try these:
- Crispy Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls
- Bacon Wrapped Grilled Jalapeno Poppers
- Jalapeno Popper Totchos
- Baked Jalapeno Popper Dip
If you’ve tried this JALAPENO POPPER MAC AND CHEESE or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Jalapeno Popper Mac And Cheese (From A Box)
Ingredients
For The Mac And Cheese
- 1 24 oz box deluxe mac and cheese
- 2 jalapeno peppers seeded and diced
- 3 tbsp butter divided
- 6 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 12 oz bacon cooked crisp & crumbled
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp hot sauce optional
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
For The Topping
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.1 24 oz box deluxe mac and cheese
- While the pasta's cooking add 1 tablespoon of butter to a small skillet and saute the peppers just until they've begun to soften.3 tbsp butter, 2 jalapeno peppers
- Strain the pasta, then return it to the pot.
- To the hot pasta add the cheese sauce, cream cheese, cream, and garlic powder. Stir together until everything's evenly combined.6 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- To the pot add the hot sauce, 3/4 of the bacon, softened peppers, and half the cheese. Stir together until everything's evenly combined.12 oz bacon, 1 tsp hot sauce, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a greased baking dish and spread out in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon evenly out overtop.
- Mix together the bread crumbs, melted butter, and paprika until evenly combined. Sprinkle the mixture evenly out overtop the mac and cheese.1 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp butter
- Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Make it a complete meal and toss in some shredded chicken to the mac and cheese.
- Don't skip removing the seeds from the peppers. The dish will be very spicy and may cause eye irritation when you saute the jalapenos if not seeded.
- The bacon is optional but highly recommended.
- Don't have bread crumbs? Crush some Ritz style crackers instead and toss the cracker crumbs with melted butter and smoked paprika for the topping.
Nutrition
