Spicy Bacon Jalapeño Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese Panko Crust

If you thought you were craving ordinary mac and cheese, think again. This recipe combines all the gooey, melty goodness of a classic mac with the rich, spicy flavors of a bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper. The result is the comfort food you never knew you needed.

Twirly cavatappi noodles are tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce with salty crumbles of bacon, fresh jalapeño slices for heat, and a crispy, spiced panko crust for crunch. Best of all, it’s ready in just 35 minutes—what more could you want?

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Ingredients

6 ounce Cavatappi PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Cream Sauce BaseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit JalapeñoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup Mexican Cheese BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon PHILADELPHIA® Cream CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon FlourView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil (use a large pot for 4 servings). Heat a large, dry pan over medium heat. Add bacon; cook, turning occasionally and adjusting heat if browning too quickly, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. Turn off heat; transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate. Carefully discard all but a thin layer of bacon fat from the pan (you’ll use this to cook the aromatics later).
2. While bacon cooks, wash and dry produce. Halve jalapeño crosswise, removing ribs and seeds for less heat; thinly slice one half into rounds and finely dice the remaining half. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Peel and mince garlic.
3. Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (2 cups for 4 servings), then drain. While pasta cooks, place 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings) in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds. Stir in panko. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Heat the pan with reserved bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add sliced jalapeño; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a second small bowl and set aside. Add scallion whites, diced jalapeño, and garlic to the pan. Cook until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add flour to the pan with aromatics; whisk until thoroughly coated. Cut the top off the carton of cream sauce base to open fully; pour contents into pan. Using a spoon or spatula, scrape any remaining sauce from carton into pan. Whisk in cream cheese, half the Southwest Spice (all for 4 servings), and ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water (1 cup for 4); reduce heat to low. Simmer, whisking, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Whisk in Mexican cheese and Monterey Jack until melted and creamy.
6. Heat broiler to high. Roughly chop bacon. Stir bacon and drained cavatappi into the pan with cheese sauce. (Tip: If your pan is not large enough, carefully transfer everything into the pot used to cook pasta.) If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until cavatappi is coated in a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Transfer mac and cheese to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish (for 4 servings, use a 9-by-13-inch baking dish). Sprinkle with panko and sliced jalapeño. Broil until panko is browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes. (Tip: Watch carefully to avoid burning.) Sprinkle with scallion greens. Divide between plates or serve directly from the baking dish.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Large Pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Medium Pot

Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCAROTE 8QT Full Clad Tri Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, Kitchen Soup Pot, All Stoves Compatible, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stay Cool Handle, White, Mothers Day GiftsView on Amazon

Paper Towel

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on Amazon

Small Bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Strainer

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Whisk

NileHome Stainless Steel Whisk Set 8" 10" 12" Kitchen Whisk Balloon Whisk Kitchen Wisk Wire Whisks for Cooking, Whisking, Blending, Beating, Stirring-3 Pack…View on AmazonOXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon WhiskView on AmazonNileHome Silicone Whisk Set 8" 10" Kitchen Whisk Kitchen Wisk Wire Whisks for Cooking, Whisking, Blending, Beating, Stirring-BlackView on Amazon

Baking Dish

Pyrex Deep 9x13-Inch Glass Baking Dish with Lid, Deep Casserole Dish, Glass Food Container, Oven, Freezer and Microwave Safe, Clear ContainerView on AmazonDOWAN Casserole Dish, 9x13 Ceramic Baking Dish, Large Lasagna Pan Deep for Oven, 4.2 Quarts Baking Pan with Handles, Oven Safe and Durable Bakeware for Lasagna, Home Decor, Wedding Gift, Soft WhiteView on Amazon8-Piece Deep Glass Baking Dish Set with Plastic lids,Rectangular Glass Bakeware Set with Lids, Baking Pans for Lasagna, Leftovers, Cooking, Kitchen, Freezer-to-Oven and Dishwasher, GrayView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

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

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Omit the bacon and use vegetable broth or water instead of bacon fat to cook the aromatics.