Jalapeno Mac and Cheese is a delicious, easy, versatile and crowd-pleasing side dish that compliments a variety of meals. The jalapenos give this macaroni a unique flavor without making it overly spicy.
Mac and Cheese is arguably America's favorite side dish, it is loved by both kids and adults alike. And for good reason! What's not to love about tender noodles coated in a creamy cheese sauce and then baked to chewy perfection?! My Mac and Cheese is a good compromise on indulgence without being too heavy. I've added extra flavor by adding dijon mustard and hot sauce to the mix - not enough to be predominant flavors, just enough to add some depth and complexity. The addition of jalapenos in this mac also adds great flavor without making it very spicy.
Serve Jalapeno Mac and Cheese with Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin and Creamy Cucumber and Onion Salad for a balanced meal.
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make Jalapeno Mac and Cheese:
- shredded cheddar cheese
- milk
- flour
- butter
- dijon mustard
- hot sauce
- diced pickled jalapenos
- salt
- pepper
- elbow macaroni pasta
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here's how to make Jalapeno Mac and Cheese:
In a pot, cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain, and return the pot to the stove over medium heat.
Add the butter to the pot, swirling to melt. Sprinkle with the flour and whisk to combine. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture turns a golden brown, about 3 minutes. Then, add the milk, whisking to remove any lumps. Add the dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper, whisking to combine. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
Add all but ½ cup of the shredded cheese to the pot with the milk, stirring to combine and continuing to cook and stir until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Add the jalapenos, stirring to combine. Then, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cooked pasta. (At this point you can eat the macaroni as is or proceed with the directions to bake it.)
Spread the macaroni and cheese into a greased casserole dish and top with the reserved ½ cup of cheese. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes, then cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.
Hint: My family likes the top and edges of the mac and cheese to be a bit brown. If this doesn't happen during baking, I'll broil it for 2-5 minutes before serving to give the top a little color.
Substitutions
Want to substitute an ingredient in Jalapeno Mac and Cheese? Here's how:
- Cheddar cheese - use an equal amount of a different type of shredded cheese with a medium firmness such as gouda, colby jack or pepper jack.
- Elbow macaroni pasta - use an equal amount of a different shape of pasta in place of the macaroni.
- Pickled jalapenos - use an equal amount of diced green chiles for a more mild flavor or fresh jalapenos for a more spicy flavor.
- Dijon mustard - use regular yellow mustard in place of the dijon mustard or 1 teaspoon of ground mustard powder.
Variations
Try one of these variations of Jalapeno Mac and Cheese:
- Spicy - double the amount of diced jalapenos and hot sauce for a Spicy Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese.
- Mild - omit the jalapenos if you prefer not to have any spice in your macaroni and cheese.
- Bacon - add ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon when adding the jalapenos for additional flavor and a boost of protein.
- Gluten-free - use gluten-free pasta, omit the flour and butter and step of making the roux and reduce the milk to 2 c for a Gluten-Free Jalapeno Mac n Cheese.
Equipment
This equipment comes in handy when making Jalapeno Mac and Cheese:
Storage
Store leftover Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the macaroni in an airtight container prior to baking or after baking for up to 3 months. (See this article for more information on freezing and thawing mac and cheese.)
FAQ
Cheddar and jalapeno are a delicious combination as the sharpness of the cheddar and the spice of the jalapeno complement each other nicely. Monterey jack is another great pairing with jalapeno as its creamy texture compliments the spicyness of the jalapeno.
Adding chopped (fresh or pickled) jalapenos to mac and cheese add some heat which nicely compliments the cheesiness and creaminess of mac and cheese. Other good additions are cooked and crumbled bacon, a couple of tablespoons of hot sauce or a couple of tablespoons of dijon mustard.
Related
Looking for other easy side dish recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
Serve Jalapeno Mac and Cheese with one of these dinner recipes:
Recipe
Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) box elbow macaroni
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ⅓ cup pickled jalapenos, diced
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Return the pasta pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the butter to the pot, swirling to melt. Sprinkle with the flour and whisk to combine. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture turns a golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Then, add the milk, whisking to remove any lumps. Add the dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper, whisking to combine. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Add all but ½ cup of the shredded cheese to the pot with the milk, stirring to combine and continuing to cook and stir until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Add the jalapenos, stirring to combine. Then, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cooked pasta. (At this point you can eat the macaroni as is or proceed with the directions to bake it.)
- Spread the macaroni and cheese into a greased casserole dish and top with the reserved ½ cup of cheese. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes, then cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Shannon
All Mac and cheese should have jalapeños!