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Bacon Jalapeno Mac n Cheese

Published: Feb 12, 2019 · Last modified: Feb 12, 2019 by AnotherFoodBlogger

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It doesn't come any more comforting than Mac n Cheese!  A load of pasta, a simple yet uber delicious cheese sauce and with the addition of some crispy bacon, jalapeno slices it really doesn't get any better!

Bacon Jalapeno Mac n Cheese

I often get asked about the food we eat at home.  How come I ain't the size of a house!?  People wonder do I cook like this all the time or do we ever eat basic bitch food ever!  The truth is we do eat simple food a lot of the time but I always do my best to put a twist on it.  I love to challenge myself in the kitchen - to come up with something different or out of the ordinary.  Now that we have a toddler and are living in Australia we don't get out to party as much as we did when we lived in NYC.  Our family is back in Ireland so babysitters don't come cheap.  When you tack on about $60-70 in babysitting expenses it becomes quite a luxury to go out.

So, to answer the original question.  Seeing as we can't get out too often I like to try wow the ladyfriend at home.  Cooking is something I find relaxing.  Granted a little less so when the "princess" is shouting at me to play.  But I do my very best to try cook and present it as restaurant quality as I can. So to quote a famous chef - simple food done right!

Mac n Cheese

You have probably just read the above statement and are thinking WTF - it's Mac n Cheese.  This ain't fancy.  True story and I totally hate going to a restaurant and seeing them charge 100's of $$ for Mac n Cheese.  For me I don't need shaved truffles or lobster in it.  Don't get me wrong I like both of those things but when eating my Mac n Cheese I just wanna keep it humble and simple.  Personal preference!

Here in AnotherFoodBloggers house we are all about adding spice to pretty much everything - especially Mrs AnotherFoodBlogger.  Aside from adding jalapeno to the mix there is a little tabasco in the sauce too.  Back to that well stocked pantry I am always piping on about!  So, yep we do eat simply but there is nothing stopping anyone taking things up a notch and I hope that following a few of my tips will help you along the way.

Happy Eating and Happy Cooking Friends!

Bacon Jalapeno Mac n Cheese

Bacon Jalapeno Mac n Cheese

Comfort food done right! 
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Snacks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Mac n Cheese
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 4115kcal
Author: AnotherFoodBlogger
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Ingredients 

  • 350 g pasta elbows or similar
  • 12 slices cooked bacon chopped
  • 2 - 3 jalapenos sliced

Cheese Sauce

  • 4.5 cups whole milk
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 100 g butter
  • 3 garlic cloves crushed
  • 200 g red leicester cheese grated
  • 50 g parmesan grated
  • 50 g white cheddar grated
  • 50 g mozzarella grated
  • 10 dashes tabasco
  • 1 pinch salt

Breadcrumbs

  • 40 g panko or other breadcrumbs
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 3 tsp mixed herbs
  • 1 tsp chili flakes

Instructions

Pasta

  • Cook pasta 2 mins less than packet instructions say.  Strain and set aside

Cheese Sauce

  • Add butter, garlic and flour to sauce pan, cook on a medium heat to make a roux *see tips* and cook for a couple mins
  • Gradually add the milk and whisk until it starts to thicken. Turn heat to low.  
  • Once sauce is starting to thicken add tabasco and  grated cheese.  Stirring to combine.  Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly

Mac n Cheese

  • Fry jalapeno in cast iron or other heavy bottom frying pan.  Once cooked remove from heat and add pasta, cheese sauce and bacon.  Stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and  bake in the oven for 30 mins @ 180c place under a grill to crisp up the breadcrumbs *see tips*

Alternative

  • Instead of baking the mac n cheese you can add all the cooked ingredients into the cheese sauce pan and serve.  Sprinkling some toasted breadcrumbs on top.

Notes

 

Essential Tools

  • whisk
  • wooden spoon
  • frying pan
  • cast iron or other heavy bottom pan
  • sauce pan
  • sharp knife
  • chopping board
  • weighing scales/measuring spoons
  • grater/zester

Tips/Tricks

  • the addition of multiple other toppings for mac n cheese is huge - onion, lobster, shrimp, truffle,  ketchup or vegetables!
  • a roux is a thickening agent used to make sauces.  It is made when cooking fat (butter in this case) and flour together.
  • some recipes call for Mac n Cheese to be baked in the oven and other just on a stove top.  Either way works just fine.  The stove top method I find offers a creamier version where the baked one gives you a stringy cheese affect. It's personal and time dictated too! 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 4115kcal | Carbohydrates: 393g | Protein: 218g | Fat: 182g | Saturated Fat: 101g | Cholesterol: 535mg | Sodium: 4924mg | Potassium: 3698mg | Fiber: 23g | Sugar: 72g | Vitamin A: 4180IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 3980mg | Iron: 16.6mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @another_food_blogger
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie McNally

    February 15, 2019 at 4:44 am

    This is a great twist on a classic! I’m definitely going to add it to the list for menu planning!

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 15, 2019 at 6:12 am

      Nice!! Would love to see how you get on Katie

      Reply
  2. Chelle Dizon

    February 14, 2019 at 9:51 pm

    5 stars
    My mac and cheese is one of the favorite dish in our home. I will definitely try this version. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 14, 2019 at 9:54 pm

      My pleasure!! Happy cooking

      Reply
  3. Devyani

    February 13, 2019 at 4:01 pm

    That looks like a delicious twist to mac and cheese !!!

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 13, 2019 at 4:11 pm

      Thanks Devyani!! Can’t beat a good bowl of Mac n cheese

      Reply
  4. Shubh

    February 13, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    I don't eat bacon. The pic looks good. Maybe I can just try it without bacon 😉

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 13, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      That’s the beauty of Mac n Cheese - u can eat it plain or add different things to it if you want ?

      Reply
  5. Heather

    February 13, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    We aren't much for spicy food, but I'm going to make this without the jalapeños. I bet my family would love it.

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 13, 2019 at 1:31 pm

      Fantastic!!! I’d love to see how you get on - tag me @another_food_blogger if you don’t mind ☺️

      Reply
  6. Princess Quinn

    February 13, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    Wow, this is such a delightful dish. My mouth is absolutely watering right now. I would love to try this.

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 13, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Please do!! Lemme know how you get on ?

      Reply
  7. Keshia Richmond

    February 13, 2019 at 12:04 pm

    I would love to try this delicious recipe. You had me at bacon. Light on the jalapeños. This Mac n cheese sounds so yummy.

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 13, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      Thanks Keisha - the more bacon the merrier ?

      Reply
  8. Candace

    February 13, 2019 at 11:16 am

    5 stars
    Only reading the title made me hungry hahah Sooo so good. I love mac-n-cheese. I mean who doesn't?! lol This is great for a get together party!

    XO
    Candace
    http://www.thebeautybeau.com

    Reply
    • AnotherFoodBlogger

      February 13, 2019 at 11:33 am

      Thanks Candace!!! I’m hungry reading this and thinking about it too ???

      Reply
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