Best 4 Jalapeno Popper Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Feast your taste buds on the tantalizing fusion of flavors and textures in this elevated macaroni salad recipe, where crispy panko-crusted jalapeño poppers steal the show. This dish is a symphony of creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, tender pasta, crunchy vegetables, and the delightful spiciness of jalapeños. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, potluck, or simply seeking a burst of flavor to liven up your meals, this jalapeño popper macaroni salad is guaranteed to be a hit.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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 POPPER CORN SALAD



Jalapeno Popper Corn Salad image

I created this recipe for a wedding I was catering, and it's a good thing I made buckets of it, because I couldn't stop eating it! This chilled creamy salad combines all the best flavors of jalapeno poppers with the delicate sweetness of fresh corn. -Amanda Miller, Hutchinson, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 medium onion, quartered
2 jalapeno peppers
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cups fresh corn (about 8 ears), cooked and cooled
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon, divided

Steps:

  • Grill onion and jalapenos, covered, over medium-high heat or broil 4 in. from heat 3-5 minutes on each side or until lightly charred. Cool completely; chop into 1/2-inch pieces., Combine the next nine ingredients. Stir in corn, cheeses, half the bacon, and the grilled vegetables. Top with remaining bacon to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 476 calories, Fat 40g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 616mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

JALAPENO POPPER MAC 'N CHEESE



Jalapeno Popper Mac 'n Cheese image

With an abundance of jalapenos in the garden, I was looking for new ways to use them, and this popper mac 'n cheese is a great one! This recipe is easily adjustable to add more heat or to take it away. The amount of jalapenos used in this recipe will yield a nice, spicy mac 'n cheese without being too over-the-top spicy. The mac 'n cheese itself is rich and creamy. Enjoy!

Provided by Christina

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
1 small onion, diced
5 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups 2% milk
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, or more to taste
1 (8 ounce) package light processed cheese food (such as Velveeta Light®), cubed
2 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 pinch salt to taste
3 slices bacon
⅓ cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into thin rings

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2-quart baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to pot; set aside.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and jalapenos; cook until just softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in flour, coating vegetables well. Whisk in milk slowly until smooth. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly until thickened, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
  • Season sauce with garlic powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in processed cheese and cream cheese until melted and sauce is smooth, about 5 minutes. Season with salt.
  • Pour macaroni into cheese sauce and stir to coat completely. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
  • Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels. Cool briefly.
  • Crumble bacon and mix with panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni. Top with jalapeno slices.
  • Bake, uncovered, until browned and bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 332.6 calories, Carbohydrate 33.8 g, Cholesterol 44.7 mg, Fat 15.5 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 14.4 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 785.6 mg, Sugar 6.8 g

JALAPENO MACARONI SALAD



Jalapeno Macaroni Salad image

So creamy and delcious! Very easy to whip up for any BBQ, family get together, or just a side on the dinner table! This serves about 6, so double for a crowd! Make sure to dice your jalapenos as small as possible! The cooking time DOES include the chilling time in the fridge.

Provided by MelvinsWifey

Categories     Onions

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
1 1/4 cups Miracle Whip
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup onion, diced
1/4 cup green onion, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno, finely diced
1/2 cup carrot, grated
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook your macaroni in a big pot of boiling, salted water for 9-10 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse until cold water to stop cooking. Drain and place in large bowl.
  • Add the celery, onion, green onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, carrot, miracle whip, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and sugar. Toss well to combine.
  • Let chill for at least 1 hour before serving, stirring once or twice. Add a little more miracle whip to taste if you want it creamier!
  • Enjoy :).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 155.1, Fat 0.7, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 411.1, Carbohydrate 32.1, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 3.7, Protein 5.2

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the macaroni salad will taste. Use ripe jalapeños, crisp bell peppers, and fresh parsley.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni: Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, but be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked macaroni will be mushy and not hold its shape well in the salad.
  • Cool the macaroni before adding the other ingredients: This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery. You can cool the macaroni by rinsing it with cold water or by placing it in a colander and letting it cool for a few minutes.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: Using a variety of cheeses will give the macaroni salad a more complex flavor. Cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese are all good choices.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make macaroni salad. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors until you find a recipe that you love.

Conclusion:

Jalapeno popper macaroni salad is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to use up leftover macaroni and cheese, and it is also a great dish to bring to potlucks and picnics. With its creamy, cheesy, and spicy flavor, jalapeno popper macaroni salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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