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    Jun 16, 2016 · Modified: Feb 18, 2021 by Chelsea · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Baked Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese

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    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!

    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 forgot 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.

    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 forgot to add the bacon!

    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.

    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 forgot to add the bacon!

    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.

    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 forgot to add the bacon!

    Right now you can purchase them at your local Target and if you have the Cartwheel app you grab a coupon for 30% off!

    5 from 1 vote
    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 forgot to add the bacon!
    Print
    Baked Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
    Prep Time
    15 mins
    Cook Time
    40 mins
     

    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.

    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: jalapeno, jalapeno popper, mac and cheese
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 434 kcal
    Ingredients
    • 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
    Instructions
    1. 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.

    2. Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add your macaroni noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

    3. Place the milk and cream cheese into the skillet and whisk until the cream cheese has melted, approximately 10 minutes.

    4. Season with salt and pepper.

    5. Mix your macaroni noodles into your sauce until combined.

    6. Add the crushed crackers and bacon pieces on top. Bake at 400 degrees uncovered for 20 minutes.

    7. Serve warm.

    Recipe Notes

    Nutrition estimated is based upon the brands I used. Yours may vary depending on brands.

    Nutrition Facts
    Baked Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 434 Calories from Fat 218
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 24.2g37%
    Cholesterol 58.6mg20%
    Sodium 382.1mg17%
    Carbohydrates 38.3g13%
    Fiber 3.2g13%
    Sugar 9.1g10%
    Protein 17.1g34%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Van's Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.

     

    « Healthy Summer Snacks
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    Comments

    1. Patricia says

      May 27, 2017 at 7:26 pm

      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.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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