Boxed Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Jalapeño
Upgrade a box of mac and cheese with crispy bacon, sautéed jalapeño, extra cheddar and a little cream. Fifteen minutes to grown-up mac.
Ingredients
Ingredients for servings
Enter a number of at least ½, in steps of ½.
Original recipe serves 4. Ingredient amounts adjust automatically. Cooking times and pan size may need adjusting separately.
- 2 boxes macaroni and cheese, 7.25 oz each, powdered cheese kind
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Steps
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 2: Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Move it to a paper towel. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of grease.
Step 3: Cook the jalapeños in the bacon grease 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Turn off the heat.
Step 4: Cook both boxes of macaroni according to the box, usually 7 to 8 minutes. Drain.
Step 5: Put the empty pot back on low heat. Add the butter, half-and-half and both cheese packets and whisk until smooth.
Step 6: Add the macaroni, cheddar, paprika and pepper. Stir until the cheddar melts. Fold in the jalapeños and most of the bacon.
Step 7: Sprinkle the rest of the bacon on top and serve right away.
Swaps
- Dairy: Whole milk instead of half-and-half. Cream cheese (2 oz) makes it extra creamy.
- Heat: Pickled jalapeños from a jar, or a spoon of hot sauce.
- Cheese: Pepper jack instead of cheddar for even more kick.
Tips
- Seed the jalapeños for flavor without much heat. Leave seeds in if you’re brave.
- Serve it fast. Mac and cheese waits for no one.
The story
HAM Cooking. Let’s fire it up.
I’m not too proud to cook from a blue box. I am too proud to cook it exactly how the box says.
The powdered cheese packet is basically cheese flavor and salt. It needs fat and real dairy to turn into a proper sauce, which is why the half-and-half and the shredded cheddar make such a big difference. Whisking the sauce smooth in the empty pot before the noodles go back in keeps you from getting those little powder lumps. Cooking the jalapeños in bacon grease takes the raw bite off and gives them a smoky, sweet edge.
It’s a side dish. It’s also my dinner. Both things can be true.
HAM out.
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