Bacon Jalapeño Mac & Cheese with Crispy Panko Topping

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:27:57 GMT

Step 1

Bring med. pot of salted water to boil. • Meanwhile, cook bacon until crispy. Reserve pan (with coating of bacon fat) to cook veggies.

Step 2

Once water boils, add cavatappi to pot. Cook (9-11 min.), stirring occasionally, until al dente. • Reserve 1C pasta water, then drain. • While pasta cooks, place 1T butter in sm. micro.-safe bowl; microwave 30 sec. until melted; stir in panko and season with salt & pepper.

Step 3

Heat pan with reserved bacon fat over med.-high. Add sliced jalapeño, seasoning with salt & cook (2-3 min.), stirring occasionally, until just tender. Transfer to other sm. bowl; set aside. • Add scallion whites, diced jalapeño, & garlic to pan. Cook (2-3 min.) until slightly softened; season with salt & pepper.

Step 4

Add flour to pan with aromatics; whisk until thoroughly coated. • Whisk in cream sauce base, cream cheese, Southwest Spice, & ½C reserved pasta cooking water; reduce heat to low. Simmer (2-3 min.), whisking, until sauce is smooth & slightly thickened. • Whisk in cheeses until melted & creamy.

Step 5

Stir bacon & drained cavatappi into pan with cheese sauce. (Carefully transfer everything into pot used to cook pasta if needed.) Add more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until cavatappi is coated in creamy sauce; season with salt & pepper

Step 6

Transfer mac & cheese to 8” x 8” baking dish . Sprinkle with panko & sliced jalapeño. • Broil (2-3 min.) until panko is browned & crispy. (Watch carefully to avoid burning.) Sprinkle with scallion greens. • Divide between plates or serve directly from baking dish.

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