Best Bacon And Pepper Jack Mac Cheese Recipes

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CONTEST-WINNING PEPPER JACK MAC



Contest-Winning Pepper Jack Mac image

When I want to make something hearty, creamy and cheesy, I go with this dish. It's comfort food at its finest. -Rianna Styx, Libertyville, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese
TOPPING:
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup cheddar french-fried onions, crushed

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside., In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, mustard, pepper and Worcestershire sauce until smooth; gradually add milk and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted. Stir macaroni into cheese mixture., Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs, bacon, Parmesan cheese and onions. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 859 calories, Fat 64g fat (37g saturated fat), Cholesterol 191mg cholesterol, Sodium 1127mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 34g protein.

BACON AND PEPPER JACK MAC & CHEESE



Bacon and Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese image

Cheesy, creamy and smoky, this not a traditional macaroni and cheese recipe. We really loved the bits of bacon throughout the mac and cheese. The jalapeno adds a mild spice, but it's not overwhelming. When looking for a special treat for the family, make sure to add this recipe to your menu. Creamy and delicious!

Provided by Diane Rodriguez

Categories     Pasta

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 12

12 oz dried pasta (I use medium shells or cavatappi)
10 slice bacon
1 Tbsp butter
1 medium onion, small dice
1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
2 clove garlic, pressed or minced
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3/4 c chicken broth
1/2 c half and half or heavy cream (I use a mix)
1/4 c softened cream cheese
8 oz brick pepper jack, grated
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • 1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Set aside on a paper lined plate to cool, then chop.
  • 2. While bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain. Rinse so it doesn't stick together and set aside.
  • 3. Add the butter to the bacon drippings. When the butter melts, add in the onion and jalapeno. Cook until soft.
  • 4. Add the minced garlic and cook another minute or so, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  • 5. Add the flour to the skillet. Stir and cook just for a minute. Add in the chicken broth and half/half or cream. Bring up to a simmer, stirring until sauce thickens.
  • 6. Once sauce thickens, add in the cream cheese and pepper jack. Stir until melted.
  • 7. Add in the cooked pasta and stir to coat all the pasta. Add in the chopped bacon and stir. Adjust seasonings with the salt and pepper and serve.

PEPPER JACK MAC



Pepper Jack Mac image

This spicy dish is a fast favorite of mine. If I have extra time, I top it with Parmesan bread crumbs and bake, uncovered, in a casserole dish at 375° for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. -Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 bacon strips, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1-1/2 teaspoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken broth
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons 2% milk
3/4 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Dash salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 3/4 teaspoon drippings., In the same skillet, saute onion and mushrooms in drippings and butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended; gradually stir in broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat until cheese is melted., Drain macaroni; stir macaroni and bacon into sauce mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 423 calories, Fat 23g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 707mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

BACON-PEPPER MAC AND CHEESE



Bacon-Pepper Mac and Cheese image

Enjoy this cheesy pasta casserole made using bacon, Gold Medal® flour and Progresso® bread crumbs - perfect for dinner.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 cups uncooked penne pasta (10 oz)
1/3 cup butter
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 1/4 cups milk
10 slices packaged precooked bacon (from 2.1-oz package), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
4 oz Muenster cheese, shredded (1 cup)
2 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the butter in small bowl. Stir bell pepper and onions into butter in saucepan. Increase heat to medium; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and mustard. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Increase heat to medium-high. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens, about 5 minutes. Gently stir in bacon and pasta.
  • Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Pour into casserole. Stir bread crumbs into melted butter in small bowl. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
  • Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1010, Carbohydrate 91 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 5 g, Protein 45 g, SaturatedFat 29 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1790 mg, Sugar 10 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g

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