Jalapeño Topped Mac Cheese Recipes

JALAPENO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain. Transfer to a greased 5-qt. slow cooker., Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add jalapenos; cook and stir until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add to slow cooker. Stir in the cheeses, milk, soups, mayonnaise and pepper., Cook, covered, on low for 3 hours or until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through. Melt remaining butter; stir in crackers. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture.

CREAMY JALAPENO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions; drain.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Combine the half-and-half, mustard, garlic powder and remaining 6 tablespoons butter in the saucepan and bring to a bare simmer over medium-high heat. Add the Cheddar and processed cheese and stir until smooth. Stir in the macaroni and jalapenos and season with salt. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the panko and cilantro.

CREAMY JALAPENO POPPER MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Set an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
• Melt the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; transfer half the melted butter to a medium bowl and reserve. Add the chopped jalapenos to the saucepan, toss to coat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
• Wipe out the saucepan and add the half-and-half. Cook over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering until the half-and-half is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Add the macaroni and reserved pasta water and stir to combine. (The mixture will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Gently fold in the reserved cooked jalapenos, pickled jalapenos and pickled jalapeno juice. Season with salt and cayenne if needed. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs in the bowl with the reserved melted butter and a sprinkle of salt. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Lay the sliced jalapenos evenly on top of the bread crumbs. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.