This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Van's Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.
Baked Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese - An incredibly easy homemade baked mac and cheese! If you love jalapeno poppers I bet you can't resist this! So creamy and baked to perfection. Don't forget to add the bacon!
Lately, I have been on a healthier kick with lighter and delicious meals. I thought I would take a little break and bring back a comfort food that can be made all summer or even year around with a few simple ingredients. It's great to serve as a small main dish or even as an appetizer on top of crackers. The possibilities are endless.
Every year we usually have a medium-sized garden with fresh vegetables, including jalapenos. So why would I not share a recipe that can use a simple summer ingredient? This mac and cheese is perfect for all of your summer entertaining or even on a game day when you need something quick everyone loves!
With mac and cheese being so heavy, I thought I would share a few tips on how to still enjoy it a lighter way! Since mac and cheese is a roux kind of sauce, I omitted a roux and substituted cream cheese in its place instead. It easily thickens up the sauce, and every jalapeno popper has cream cheese, you can even use a fat-free cream cheese if that's more your style.
The next part of making this dish a little healthier is by serving it on top of crackers. That way it serves more and you have the crackers filling you up, which are always a little lighter than cheesy pasta.
The type of crackers I found to be perfect are Van’s Simply Delicious® Lots of Everything Crackers. These gluten-free crackers pair perfectly with gluten-free pasta or even regular pasta.
Right now you can purchase them at your local Target and if you have the Cartwheel app you grab a coupon for 30% off!
Baked Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese - An incredibly easy homemade baked mac and cheese! If you love jalapeno poppers I bet you can't resist this! So creamy and baked to perfection.
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 jalapenos, deseed and finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz macaroni noodles
- 2 cups milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 pieces of bacon, cooked and diced
- ¾ cup finely crushed Van’s Simply Delicious Lots of Everything Crackers
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Place your oil, onion, jalapenos, and garlic into a large skillet or pan and saute over medium heat until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
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Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add your macaroni noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Place the milk and cream cheese into the skillet and whisk until the cream cheese has melted, approximately 10 minutes.
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Season with salt and pepper.
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Mix your macaroni noodles into your sauce until combined.
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Add the crushed crackers and bacon pieces on top. Bake at 400 degrees uncovered for 20 minutes.
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Serve warm.
Nutrition estimated is based upon the brands I used. Yours may vary depending on brands.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Van's Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.
Add the white sharp cheddar to the milk and cream cheese mixer and continue to whisk until they have all melted and form a lovely cream sauce. Then continue with the rest of the recipe.