Best Mac N Cheese Jalapeño Poppers Recipes

CREAMY JALAPENO POPPER MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Set an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
• Melt the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; transfer half the melted butter to a medium bowl and reserve. Add the chopped jalapenos to the saucepan, toss to coat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
• Wipe out the saucepan and add the half-and-half. Cook over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering until the half-and-half is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Add the macaroni and reserved pasta water and stir to combine. (The mixture will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Gently fold in the reserved cooked jalapenos, pickled jalapenos and pickled jalapeno juice. Season with salt and cayenne if needed. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs in the bowl with the reserved melted butter and a sprinkle of salt. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Lay the sliced jalapenos evenly on top of the bread crumbs. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.

MAC AND CHEESE JALAPEñO BITES

Steps:

• Prepare Dinner in large saucepan as directed on package. Stir in 1 cup cracker crumbs, egg, bacon and jalapeno peppers until blended. Cool 20 min.
• Shape into 30 balls, using scant 1/4 cup macaroni mixture for each ball. Insert 1 VELVEETA cube into center of each ball, completely enclosing VELVEETA cube. Roll in remaining cracker crumbs until evenly coated. Place in single layer on waxed paper-covered baking sheet.
• Heat oil to 375ºF in deep fryer. Add balls, a few at a time; cook 2 min. or until golden brown. Drain well. Serve warm.

MAC 'N' CHEESE JALAPEñO POPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Working lengthwise, slice off the top quarter of each jalapeño. Using a small spoon or paring knife, scrape the seeds and ribs out of each jalapeño. Finely chop the tops.
• Place a large pot of water over high heat to boil. When the water reaches a bubble, salt it well and drop in the pasta. Cook to al dente. Drain well.
• While the pasta is cooking, place a medium pot over medium heat with the butter. Add the chopped pepper tops to the butter and cook to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the peppers and cook for 1 minute more. Whisk the chicken stock and milk into the mixture and bring up to a bubble. Stir in the mustard, season the sauce with salt and black pepper, and simmer until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheese until melted. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
• Mound up spoonfuls of the mac 'n' cheese in the peppers and place the peppers in a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and the bread crumbs over the filling, and bake until the tops are golden brown and the peppers are tender, about 15 minutes.

JALAPENO POPPER ORZO MAC-N-CHEESE

Steps:

• For the mac-n-cheese: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and cook the orzo until al dente, about 6 minutes; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped jalapenos, the garlic and onions and cook until the jalapenos and onions are soft, 5 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the milk and stir until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Add the Cheddar and cream cheese and stir until melted.
• Combine the orzo with the sauce and transfer to a casserole dish.
• Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and toss with the panko to coat. Sprinkle over the casserole and top with the sliced jalapenos and Fresno chiles.
• For the guac salad: Gently toss the tomatoes, avocados, jalapenos and onions on a serving platter. Drizzle with EVOO and lime juice, season with salt and pepper and top with the cilantro.
• Divide the orzo mac-n-cheese among plates and serve with the guac salad.