Build-Your-Own Baked Mac and Cheese Bar with Bacon and Pickled Jalapeños

Turn dinner into a fun, interactive experience with this build-your-own baked mac and cheese bar. Creamy, cheesy pasta is the base and everyone can top it with crispy bacon, roasted broccoli, juicy tomatoes, tangy pickled jalapeños and crunchy everything-bagel breadcrumbs.

This recipe is perfect for pleasing a crowd-each person can customize their plate exactly how they like it. The mac and cheese is baked until golden and bubbly, then served family-style with all the toppings. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that’s sure to become a favorite.

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Ingredients

2 cup Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Cavatappi PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 tablespoon Cream CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Cream Sauce BaseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon White Wine VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit JalapeñoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit BroccoliView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Mushroom Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Everything Bagel SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Cooking SprayView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F with racks in top and middle positions. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Cut broccoli into bite-size pieces. Toss broccoli on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, salt and pepper. Roast on top rack until browned and tender, 15-20 minutes.
2. Arrange bacon in a single layer on a separate baking sheet. Roast on middle rack until crispy, 15-20 minutes. Once cool, roughly chop.
3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add panko, everything bagel seasoning, salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until golden, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out pan.
4. Add cavatappi to boiling water and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
5. In the same pan, whisk together cream sauce base and 1 cup water over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Add cream cheese, mushroom stock concentrate and garlic powder. Cook, whisking, until cream cheese is fully incorporated and sauce is smooth, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in three-quarters of the cheddar and 1 tablespoon butter until melted. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
6. Pour cheese sauce over drained pasta and stir to combine. Coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer mac and cheese to dish. Top with remaining cheddar. Bake on middle rack until browned, 12-15 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes.
7. While mac and cheese bakes, halve jalapeño lengthwise, remove ribs and seeds and thinly slice crosswise. Dice tomato into ½-inch pieces.
8. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine jalapeño, 1 teaspoon vinegar, ¼ teaspoon sugar and a pinch of salt. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave 30 seconds. Set aside to pickle, stirring occasionally.
9. Serve broccoli, baked mac and cheese, toasted panko, tomato, pickled jalapeño and chopped bacon family-style. Let everyone build their own plate.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like elbow macaroni, shells or rotini works well.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover mac and cheese and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the bacon and use vegetable stock concentrate instead of mushroom stock concentrate if desired.