Smoked or Baked Jalepeno Bacon Mac n’ Cheese
If you could find a meal under the definition of comfort food this Jalepeno Bacon Mac N’ Cheese would be it! It is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Serve it up for game day, or as a fun dinner any night of the week.
I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t love a good warm bowl of mac n’ cheese. If you make it homemade….it is EVEN BETTER! Whether you need a side to bring to a dinner party, and fun recipe for game day or just a dinner that everyone is sure to love, this Jalepeno Bacon Mac N’ Cheese has got you covereed.
This recipe starts with almost any kind of short pasta you like. Macaroni, penne, fusili or really any pasta you love will work. If then gets coted in a rich and creamy homemade cheese sauce full of sharp cheddar and mozarella. Then to take it even farther, you fold in salty, crisp bacon and fresh jalepenos for the ultimate flavor combo.
You can bake this mac n’ cheese in the oven or (my personal favorite) smoke it on a pellet grill if you have one! It can be made ahead of time and then be baked right before serving to enjoy it wam and gooey. While there is a good chance you won’t have any leftovers, they an be frozen and kept for quick lunch or dinner down the road ;).
Tips For Making Jalepeno Bacon Mac N’ Cheese
- Use a short style pasta, preferably one that is hollow inside or has grooves that will hold all that delicious cheesy sauce. Macaroni, penne or fusili are all great options.
- When making the cheese sauce, be sure to slowly add in the cheese and continue to whisk it well until fully smoth. Adding the cheese in small increments ensure that i all melts evenly and gives you a nice smooth sauce.
- Taste the mac n’ cheese before you spoon it into a pan and bake it. Because of the additional bacon, you don’t need too much salt but I alwas recommend tasting it first and adding and more salt or pepper so it is to your liking.
Jalepeno Bacon Mac N’ Cheese Ingredients
Pasta– As mentioned above, this can be macaroni, penne or fusili. Whichever shape you prefer.
Cheese-This recipe uses a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese. You can sub the mozzarella for something like a colby jack if you prefer.
Milk– 2% or whole milk will give you the best quality creamy sauce.
Butter– Salted or unsalted will work. I use salted because that is what I always have on hand.
Garlic- Use fresh minced garlic to give you the strongest flavor.
Bacon– This can be homemade or store bought. I like a slightly thicker cut bacon for a better bite in your mac n’ cheese.
Jalepenos– You want to use fresh jalepenos for this recipe. You can remove the seeds, or keep them if you want extra spice.
Dijon Mustard– Just a touch of dijon adds the perfect tang to balance out the richness of the cheese sauce.
Smoked Paprika– This can be regular or smoked paprika. I love the subtle smokiness in my mac n’ cheese but use whichever you prefer.
Flour– All purpose flour or a 1 to 1 gluten free flour will both work.
The Steps
1.Start by boiling the pasta in salted water. Once aldente, strain and set aside.
2. While the pasta is cooking, make the cheese sauce. Add the butter and garlic to a medium sized pot.
3. Allow the butter to fully melt and the garlic to cook for about 2 minutes. Then, whisk in the flour.
4. Once the butter has thickened to a roux, slowly whisk in the milk, keeping the pot over medium heat.
5. Next, whisk in the dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
6. With the pot still over medium heat, add in the shredded cheese a little at a time, making sure to whisk until smooth after each addition. Once all of the cheese has melted and you have a niced thick sauce, taste it and add any more salt, pepper or smoked paprika if you like. If you find that the sauce is still a bit too thick, add in 1/4 cup more of warm milk to loosen up the sauce.
7. Finally, pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and gently toss to coat. Add in the chopped bacon and jalepenos (reserving some for on top) and stir until well combined.
8. Spread the mac n’ cheese into a cast iron pan or casserole dish. Top with some extra shredded cheese and a sprinke of the bacon and jalepenos.
9. FOR THE OVEN: Bake the mac n’ cheese at 350F for about 30 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
10. FOR THE SMOKER: Smoke the mac n’ cheese at 250F for about an hour or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
If you make this recipe, leave a comment or a review below and tag us on instagram!
Looking for more delicious comfort food to make this Fall?
https://cmbarndominium.com/simple-delicious-boursin-tomato-sourdough-pasta/
https://cmbarndominium.com/easy-delicious-venison-white-corn-chili/
https://cmbarndominium.com/the-most-delicious-braised-venison-bolognese/
Tender pasta in a rich and creamy homemade cheese sauce, with crispy bacon and fresh jalepenos. This Mac N' Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for ny night of the week! *You can swap out the mozzarella cheese for something like a colby jack cheese if you prefer. *When making the cheese sauce, be sure to continue whisking the milk and the cheese the entire time so it melts evenly and doesnt burn. *This mac n' cheese can be made a day or two in advance and then be baked right before serving. 
Jalepeno Bacon Mac N' Cheese
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
