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Smoked Cheddar and Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese

Yesterday was an important day in our household. Someone (not me) had been looking forward to it for a long time. If you have any teenage boys or men who sometimes act like teenage boys in your home then you probably know exactly what I am talking about. If not, let me enlighten you: On 9/14/10 Halo Reach was released. This means that the chances that I am going to get Ryan away from the TV in the next few weeks are about the same as my chances of actually being able to resist the temptation to eat an entire ball of buffalo mozzarella in one sitting. AKA: Not gonna happen.  My only option is to lure him away with food. I’ve got to bring out the big guns. I’ve got to make something cheesy, something spicy, something so deliciously sinful that he will be willing to drop the video game controller. Enter: smoked cheddar and jalapeno macaroni and cheese.

I had every intention of making this macaroni and cheese with elbow macaroni but lo’ and behold when I opened my pantry door I discovered that I was out. The store wasn’t an option because I wanted to get dinner on the table quickly so I could pyre Ryan away from the TV. Not to mention give my ears a few moments free from the sound of machine guns so I made due with what I had which happened to be penne pasta. I also had some fusilli, spaghetti, angel hair and pici but I figured that I wanted something that the cheese sauce could work its way into. The holes in the penne pasta were perfect for that. But if you don’t have penne use whatever short pasta you have. It will work just fine.

Note: I also only had fat free milk so I had to increase my amount of flour to compensate. If you have full fat milk you may need to use less than the required amount of flour to thicken your sauce.

smoked cheddar and jalapeno mac and cheese in glass baking dish.

Smoked Cheddar and Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese

This smoked cheddar and jalapeno mac n' cheese got my husband to drop the video game controller. It's that good.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound dried penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion
  • 1 jalapeno diced small
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups fat free milk
  • 2 cups smoked cheddar
  • 2 cups medium cheddar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups chopped sour dough bread
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8 x 8 baking dish.
  • Boil water and cook pasta 5 - 6 minutes and then drain. The pasta should still be firm as it will continue to cook while you are baking it.
  • While your pasta is cooking , heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in diced onion and jalapeno. Cook 5 minutes or until softened.
  • Whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Once milk has warmed and mixture has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes, stir in cheeses, cumin, paprika, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and kosher salt.
  • Stir in pasta. Mix well. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, stir in bread crumbs, remaining chili and garlic powder. Cook just until bread is toasted, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake macaroni and cheese for 25 - 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly. Serve.

Notes

Enjoy!
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Keywords: cheddar cheese, cheese, Food, homemade macaroni and cheese, Jalapeno, Macaroni and cheese, Recipe, side dish, smoked cheddar cheese

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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    noneyabidnz
    December 5, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    add 8 strips of fried chopped bacon. top with sour cream and chives.

  • Reply
    Jamie
    September 26, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    Hahaha oh the glorious Halo:Reach!! I’m a big fan myself, and its so funny to hear a story about it while looking for recipes to cook quickly tomorrow night after work so I can sit down and enjoy Halo w/ my man!

  • Reply
    Jenn's Food Journey
    September 16, 2010 at 5:04 am

    I love mac & cheese….smoked cheddar and jalapenos? I can only imagine how wonderful this was!!!
    Don’t you just love boys and their toys? Guess there could be worse things that his into!! :)

  • Reply
    Fun and Fearless in Beantown
    September 15, 2010 at 8:55 am

    This looks fabulous!

  • Reply
    StephenC
    September 15, 2010 at 7:45 am

    Good luck luring that man to the table. If this mac and cheese didn’t do it, nothing will.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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