Best 5 Creamy Jalapeño Mac And Cheese Recipe By Tasty Recipes

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When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a warm bowl of creamy jalapeño mac and cheese. This delightful dish combines the classic flavors of creamy mac and cheese with a touch of spicy jalapeños for a unique and flavorful experience. If you're looking for a recipe that will satisfy your cravings for something cheesy, spicy, and utterly delicious, then look no further than Tasty's creamy jalapeño mac and cheese recipe. This easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through every step of the process, from selecting the right pasta to adding the perfect amount of jalapeños to achieve the desired level of heat. With its rich, creamy sauce, tender pasta, and just the right amount of spice, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY JALAPENO MAC AND CHEESE



Creamy Jalapeno Mac and Cheese image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar
8 ounces processed cheese such as Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup chopped pickled jalapenos
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

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.

JALAPENO MAC AND CHEESE



Jalapeno Mac and Cheese image

Many years ago after I had had knee surgery, a friend brought me a big casserole of mac and cheese along with the recipe. I have fiddled with the recipe over the years, most recently adding jalapenos at the request of my son. What an awesome spicy twist! -Teresa Gustafson, Elkton, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 3h25m

Yield 15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons butter, divided
4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups whole milk
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of onion soup, undiluted
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 25 crackers)

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 428 calories, Fat 27g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 53mg cholesterol, Sodium 654mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

CREAMY JALAPENO POPPER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Jalapeno Popper Macaroni and Cheese image

This pleasantly spicy mac and cheese delivers on its name: The cheesy jalapeno pasta with its crunchy panko bread crumb topping tastes just like poppers!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 8 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 jalapenos, 2 finely chopped and 1 thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded (about 3 cups)
3 ounces Gruyere, shredded (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup pickled jalapenos, finely chopped, and 1/3 cup pickled jalapeno juice
1/2 cup pickled jalapenos, finely chopped, and 1/3 cup pickled jalapeno juice
1/8 to1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup panko bread crumbs

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.

JALAPENO-BACON MAC & CHEESE



Jalapeno-Bacon Mac & Cheese image

All my dishes use ingredients that are usually sitting in the fire department pantry. I just adjust amounts depending on how many people we have on duty that day. This is always popular. -Nick Kaczor, New Hudson, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
3 to 4 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 pound thick-sliced bacon strips (about 7 strips), cooked and crumbled

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook macaroni according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk and mustard. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in jalapenos and 3 cups cheese until cheese is melted., Reserve 1/4 cup crumbled bacon; stir remaining bacon into sauce., Drain macaroni and return to pot; stir in cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese and reserved bacon. Bake, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 636 calories, Fat 34g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 105mg cholesterol, Sodium 759mg sodium, Carbohydrate 53g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



How To Make The Best Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Nothing says comfort like a homemade baked mac and cheese. Our favorite version is made with a luscious and creamy sauce that pools in the pasta shells for the ultimate cheesy feel-good food.

Provided by Aleya Zenieris

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling
8 oz dried pasta shells
10 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
4 oz american cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 large egg
2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz parmesan cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than recommended on the package (you want the pasta to have a slight bite; it will finish cooking while it bakes).
  • In a large bowl, combine 8 ounces shredded cheddar with the American cheese and cornstarch. Use your fingers to gently toss until all of the cheese is coated.
  • Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. As the butter begins to sizzle, add the mustard powder and cayenne and stir to combine. Toast the spices until the butter turns golden brown, about 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until the milk begins to simmer, with small bubbles rapidly rising to the surface, about 3 minutes.
  • Whisk the egg in a small bowl, then temper it by slowly adding in spoonfuls of the simmering milk mixture while continuing to whisk until incorporated.
  • Slowly drizzle the tempered egg back into the milk mixture, whisking vigorously until the egg is fully incorporated.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheddar cheese mixture, a small handful at a time, whisking between each addition to make sure the cheese melts evenly (mix quickly enough that the mixture does not cool too rapidly, but slowly enough that the emulsion does not break).
  • Add the cooked pasta to the pot and gently fold to coat with the sauce, then season with 1 teaspoon salt. Pour the pasta and sauce into an 8-inch square baking dish with 2-inch-high sides (at this point, the pasta can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 3 days).
  • In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 2 ounces of cheddar cheese, the mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on top of the pasta.
  • Bake the mac and cheese until the cheese is melted and beginning to bubble around the edges, about 20 minutes. Turn the broiler on high and broil the mac and cheese until the cheese begins to brown all over, about 5 minutes. Let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes for the sauce set and cool slightly.
  • Serve warm.
  • Enjoy!

Tips:

  • To make the perfect creamy jalapeño sauce, use freshly grated cheese and high-quality milk or cream. This will ensure a smooth and flavorful sauce.
  • If you like your mac and cheese extra cheesy, add an extra cup of shredded cheese to the sauce.
  • To give the mac and cheese a little kick, add more jalapeños to the sauce. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
  • If you don't have any jalapeños on hand, you can use another type of pepper, such as poblanos or bell peppers.
  • To make the mac and cheese even more decadent, top it with crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, or crushed tortilla chips.
  • Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It's also a great dish to bring to potlucks or parties.

Conclusion:

Creamy jalapeño mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a comforting and cheesy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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