Jalapeno Popper Mac & Cheese

The perfect holiday side dish that can be baked or prepped in the crockpot! Super cheesy and a little spicy!

When the holidays roll around, we always have mac and cheese of some sort. I typically don’t eat it because it’s usually baked mac and cheese and I am a grown adult who really only likes blue box mac and cheese. However, if I have a recipe, I will try it and see if I like it. I’m not necessarily a picky eater, but I am with mac and cheese. I was more willing to give this one a try because I know I prefer a little heat with homemade mac and cheese because I think it tastes better. I personally don’t think you can go wrong with jalapeno, bacon, and gouda together. This is definitely a mac and cheese I can get behind. It was delicious! Easily the best baked mac and cheese I’ve ever had. Also it can be placed in the crockpot if you need some space in your oven - a win for busy holiday meal prepping!

What You Need:

• 12 oz. dry rotini pasta

• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided

• 6 slices center cut bacon

• 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

• 1 can (12 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/2 tsp. onion powder

• 1/4 tsp. ground pepper

• 1 cup shredded smoked gouda

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

• 1 cup shredded white cheddar

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package direction to al dente, less one minute. Drain and toss with 2 Tbsp. butter. Set aside.

2. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, remove to a paper towel-lined plate and leave a tablespoon of fat behind in the skillet.

3. Saute jalapenos for 2 minutes in bacon fat and then remove from pan to set aside.

4. Meanwhile in a large saucepan, heat cheddar soup, sour cream, and remaining 1/4 cup butter together. Whisk until smooth.

5. Add shredded cheeses and whisk until smooth and melted.

6. Add onion powder and ground pepper and stir.

7. For the Crockpot: Coat the inside of the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Add cheese sauce and jalapenos and stir.

8. Add pasta and carefully toss. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour.

9. Roughly chop the bacon and add to crockpot. Toss. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes.

10. Serve immediately or switch to keep warm.

11. For Baking: Coat a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in cheese sauce and jalapenos and stir.

12. Add pasta and carefully toss. Cook at 350 for about 20 minutes.

13. Serve immediately.

Recipe from Savory Experiments