• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop

Chili Pepper Madness logo

  • Recipe Index
  • RECIPES BY TYPE
    • BBQ/Grilled
    • Burgers
    • Chicken Wings
    • Chili
    • Curry
    • Dehydrator
    • Game Day
    • Hot Sauces
    • Jalapeno Poppers
    • Marinades
    • Pickling
    • Preserving
    • Quick and Easy
    • Salsas
    • Sauces
    • Seasonings
    • Stuffed Peppers
    • Tacos
  • COOKING TIPS
  • Pepper Info
    • Chili Pepper Types
    • The Scoville Scale
    • Hottest Peppers in the World
    • Growing Chili Peppers
    • Preserving
    • Health Benefits
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Buy Plants & Seeds
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • All Recipes
  • Pepper Info
  • Chili Pepper Types
  • The Scoville Scale
  • Growing Chili Peppers
  • Preserving
  • Chili Pepper Health Benefits
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Cooking Tips
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • About Us
×

Home » Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese

Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese

by Mike Hultquist · Jan 23, 2019 · 15 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This jalapeno popper mac and cheese recipe is extra creamy with loads of cheese, bacon and jalapeno peppers, with just the right amount of spice. This is a no-bake version. Come and get it!

Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese - Recipe

I know you guys want some of this macaroni and cheese. It's crazy good, taking all of the wonderful ingredients of your typical bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers and turning them into an equally wonderful mac and cheese dish.

Yes! I will certainly take some of that!

Of course I'm insane for jalapeno poppers - I mean, just check out my Jalapeno Poppers Recipes section as evidence - as I'm insane for jalapeno peppers in general - see #MikesJalapenoObsession - can't help myself!

What I Love About this Recipe

I love this recipe because it does not require any baking. I've seen and tasted a lot of macaroni and cheese recipes that are topped with some sort of crunch factor and then baked, and I don't always love them.

Why? They tend to dry out. All that wonderful cheese can sometimes get soaked into the noodles and gum up, and it loses that creaminess I really want.

Not this jalapeno popper mac and cheese recipe!

Making it with a roux that lets you control the cheese and spice and everything else is my favorite way to make it.

This mac and cheese recipe takes it all to a whole new level. Talk about awesomeness. And cheesiness. And creaminess. And deliciousness.

All those good "nesses" in there.

Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese in a pan, with extra jalapeno pepper slices over the top

There's really no reason for me to go on and on about this, as you can see from the photo how crave-inducing it is, so let's just talk about how we make it, shall we?

But first, we're going to need a lot of cheese!

Loads of shredded cheese for our Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese - Recipe

How to Make Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese - the Recipe Method

First, cook down your bacon and jalapeno peppers in a pan until the bacon becomes crispy, about 6-7 minutes.

Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve, saving the bacon grease in the pan.

Reserved cooked bacon and jalapeno peppers on a plate

While the bacon and jalapeno peppers are cooking, boil the noodles in salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes or so.

Stir the butter into the pan and let it melt with the rendered bacon fat over medium-low heat.

Stir in the flour until a roux forms. Cook it about 5 minutes, until it starts to brown. See my video on how to make a roux for a good demonstration.

Making the roux in a pan

Add the milk and sour cream and stir until it thickens up, only a few minutes.

Add the cream cheese, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper and hot sauce and swirl until the cream cheese melts through.

Making the roux in a pan

Add the shredded cheese a bit at a time, swirling until all of the cheese is incorporated.

Stirring the cheese into the roux

Drain the noodles, then stir them and the reserved bacon and jalapenos into the pan until they are completely covered.

Stirring the noodles into the macaroni and cheese

Garnish and serve!

Spicing Things Up

If you'd like a spicier version of this recipe, include extra hot chili flakes when seasoning, or use a spicy chili powder. Or both!

You can also include hotter peppers. Serrano peppers would be great here, as would spicier habanero peppers or even ghost peppers for those who like it REALLY hot.

Hot sauce is perfect, too!

That's it my friends! I hope you enjoy your creamy jalapeno popper mac and cheese! I certainly will!

Like Mac and Cheese? Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

  • One-Pot Spicy Chicken Mac and Cheese
  • Easy Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
  • Cheesy Chili Mac and Cheese
  • Spicy Mac and Cheese Waffles
  • American Goulash

Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese in a pan, ready to serve

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS.Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese - Recipe
Print

Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese – Recipe

This jalapeno popper mac and cheese recipe is extra creamy with loads of cheese, bacon and jalapeno peppers, with just the right amount of spice. This is a no-bake version. Come and get it!
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, jalapeno, macaroni, recipe, spicy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories: 682kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 8
Tap or hover to scale
4.84 from 6 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 pound noodles I used cavatapi, but you can use similar noodles
  • 8 slices bacon chopped
  • 3 jalapeno peppers chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup crema or sour cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce or more, as desired!
  • 8 ounces Monterrey Jack cheese shredded
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
  • FOR GARNISH: Extra jalapeno slices, spicy chili flakes, fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon and jalapeno peppers in a pan until the bacon becomes crispy, about 6-7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve, saving the bacon grease in the pan.
  • While the bacon and jalapeno peppers are cooking, boil the noodles in salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes or so.
  • Stir the butter into the pan and let it melt with the rendered bacon fat over medium-low heat.
  • Stir in the flour until a roux forms. Cook it about 5 minutes, until it starts to brown.
  • Add the milk and sour cream and stir until it thickens up, only a few minutes.
  • Add the cream cheese, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper and hot sauce and swirl until the cream cheese melts through.
  • Add the shredded cheese a bit at a time, swirling until all of the cheese is incorporated.
  • Drain the noodles, then stir them and the reserved bacon and jalapenos into the pan until they are completely covered.
  • Garnish and serve!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 682kcal   Carbohydrates: 50g   Protein: 27g   Fat: 41g   Saturated Fat: 19g   Cholesterol: 111mg   Sodium: 726mg   Potassium: 318mg   Fiber: 2g   Sugar: 5g   Vitamin A: 1460IU   Vitamin C: 7.4mg   Calcium: 528mg   Iron: 1.8mg
Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese - Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

Categories: Appetizers Tags: bacon, Chili Pepper Madness, chili pepper recipe, game day and superbowl parties, jalapeno pepper, tailgating

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Ed Monnet says

    July 04, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic! We made this last night and couldn't stop eating it. So creamy and lots of room to customize the spice. All your recipes are homeruns!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      July 11, 2022 at 8:34 am

      Awesome to hear, Ed! Thanks for sharing! Glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  2. Kathryn says

    December 12, 2021 at 8:16 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely the best mac and cheese I've ever made. Like you spoke of in the recipe I've always baked it. Never again! My 3rd recipe I've made of yours and easy to follow directions with choices. I'm obsessed with this site!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      December 13, 2021 at 7:50 am

      Thanks so much, Kathryn! I appreciate your sharing, and am happy that you love it!

      Reply
  3. Kylie says

    June 14, 2020 at 12:35 pm

    If I premake this and then put it in the oven later to warm up, will it still be good? Should I cook the noodles for less time?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      June 14, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      Kylie, this would probably be fine if you reheat it later for serving. Another option would be to make the cheese sauce, then warm it in a pan with a bit of liquid, stirring, and cook them noodles to add at time of serving. Let me know how it turns out for you.

      Reply
  4. Brittany says

    June 13, 2020 at 11:27 am

    Would this work with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      June 13, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      It surely will, Brittany! Let me know how it turns out for you. Enjoy.

      Reply
  5. Debalina Mitra says

    January 23, 2019 at 9:52 am

    4 stars
    I am crazy about jalepenos. I want them in my pizzas, subs, and everything else. 😛 And this mac and cheese looks so delicious, more so loaded with jalepenos! Wonderful presentation with step by photos!

    Reply
  6. Cliona Keane says

    January 23, 2019 at 8:50 am

    5 stars
    Now that is comfort food! You just can't beat a good mac&cheese recipe!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 23, 2019 at 9:16 am

      Comfort food at its best for sure!

      Reply
  7. Tara says

    January 23, 2019 at 8:48 am

    5 stars
    It doesn't get much better than homemade mac and cheese -- except when you add jalapenos and bacon. Yum!!!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 23, 2019 at 9:16 am

      I know, right? The perfect additions!

      Reply
  8. Elizabeth Leaver says

    January 23, 2019 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    Mac & cheese is wonderful on its own, but add bacon and spice and you've won my heart! This is the ultimate comfort food, I might struggle to share ??

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 23, 2019 at 8:44 am

      So GOOD with the added ingredients. Love it.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

ALL. SPICY. RECIPES. Hi, I’m Mike and I LOVE Spicy Food! Say goodbye to bland and boring food with my easy-to-follow recipes. Let’s get cooking!

More about me →

Mexican
Cajun
Sauces
Seasonings

5 ESSENTIALS FOR SPICY COOKING

Subscribe and receive my FREE email series with tips for spicy cooking and new Recipes

Order The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook by Mike Hultquist

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / INDIEBOUND / BOOKS A MILLION

Order The Spicy Dehydrator Cookbook by Mike Hultquist

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / INDIEBOUND

Most Popular Recipes

  • Bang Bang Chicken
  • Jamaican Curry Chicken
  • Mexican Birria Recipe
  • Homemade Blackening Seasoning
  • Michelada Recipe - Spicy Mexican Beer and Tomato Juice Cocktail
  • Pollo Guisado Recipe (Chicken Stew)

Footer

NEVER MISS A RECIPE

Receive my "5 Essentials for Spicy Cooking" email series & new recipes

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

↑ back to top

About | Contact | Travel-Food | Stories | Privacy | Disclaimer | © 2022 Chili Pepper Madness

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER OF MEDIAVINE FOOD