Ahh, the holiday season is here! It’s everywhere from the songs on the radio, to the creamer in our coffees and decorations from house to house. Are you looking for a delicious pasta dish to bring to a holiday party? If so, look no further! I was invited by Luxury Pasta to create a holiday inspired dish that will face off against another blogger’s recipe on Facebook (vote because you can win $250!), and I came up with a scrumptious twist on mac and cheese.
Bacon Jalapeno Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese
Having 2 young children, mac and cheese is a constant request in our house. Don’t get me wrong, I like mac and cheese just as much as the next lady, but 
it’s been getting a bit boring with the same old recipe. When I was invited by Luxury Pasta to create a holiday inspired dish, I began brainstorming ideas on what is always a crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike. While chatting with my husband, he suggested bacon in the mac and cheese, and I decided to add in jalapenos and then the magic was made that is now bacon jalapeno pepper jack mac and cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 box of Luxury Pasta (I used penne)
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 3 tablespoons of flour
- 3 cups of milk
- 12 ounces pepperjack cheese
- 1/2lb bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 1/2 jar jalapenos diced
- breadcrumbs
Cook pasta according to directions on box. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and begin to make a roux, making sure it’s free of lumps. Slowly stir in the milk. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese, 3/4 of the bacon and the jalapenos. Add the macaroni and transfer to a 2 quart casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese, bacon and breadcrumbs. Bake for 30 minutes.
The Verdict
Delicious! You just can’t go wrong with bacon, cheese and the spice of jalapeno. This kicked up spicy version of mac and cheese was a touchdown with my family. I know I will be making this for Christmas Day and I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as I do. Don’t forget to vote; it starts today! You can vote for my recipe as often as once a day, and each time you vote, you’ll be entered to win a $250 Visa gift card toward groceries for your own holiday feast! Ready, set, vote! To find Luxury Pasta in your area, visit Luxury’s website. We have seen it at Langenstein’s, Winn-Dixie and Rouse’s here in the New Orleans area.
Yum!!