Skip to main content
Creamy Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

Creamy Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese

Serves 2 | with White Cheddar

4.2
(46)

Loaded with cream cheese, white cheddar and hot jalapeños, this easy, creamy mac and cheese is sure to become your new weeknight staple.

Ingredients: 2% Milk (partly skimmed milk, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3) (milk) • Cavatappi (durum wheat semolina, niacin, ferrous sulphate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid) (wheat) • White cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, modified milk ingredients, cream, salt, calcium chloride, bacterial culture, microbial enzyme, microbial rennet, cellulose, natamycin) (milk) • Cream cheese (milk ingredients, modified milk ingredients, salt, bacterial culture, lactic acid, guar gum, carob bean gum, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate) (milk) • Panko breadcrumbs (bleached wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt) (wheat) • Jalapeno pepper • Garlic.

Tags:
Spicy
Allergens:
Wheat
Milk
Gluten

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

Preparation Time20 minutes
Cooking Time5 minutes
DifficultyMedium

Ingredients

serving amount

170 g

Cavatappi

(Contains: Wheat)

237 mL

Milk

(Contains: Milk)

1 unit(s)

Jalapeño

2 unit(s)

Cream Cheese

(Contains: Milk)

½ cup

Panko Breadcrumbs

(Contains: Wheat)

1 cup

White Cheddar Cheese, shredded

(Contains: Milk)

2 unit(s)

Garlic, cloves

Not included in your delivery

0.13 tsp

Salt*

0.13 tsp

Pepper*

4 tbsp

Butter*

(Contains: Milk)

1 tbsp

All-Purpose Flour*

(Contains: Gluten)

Nutrition Values

Calories1010 kcal
Fat57 g
Saturated Fat36 g
Carbohydrate92 g
Sugar11 g
Dietary Fiber5 g
Protein35 g
Cholesterol160 mg
Sodium780 mg
Trans Fat2.5 g
Potassium550 mg
Calcium650 mg
Iron3 mg
Due to the different suppliers we purchase our products from, nutritional facts per meal can vary from the website to what is received in the delivered box, depending on your region.

Utensils

Strainer
Small Bowl
Large Pot
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Cups
Large Oven-Proof Pan

Cooking Steps

Boil cavatappi and prep
1
  • Add cavatappi to the boiling water. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8-9 min.
  • Reserve 2 tbsp pasta water, then drain and return cavatappi to the same pot, off heat.
  • Meanwhile, core, then finely chop jalapeño, removing seeds for less heat. (TIP: We suggest using gloves when prepping jalapeños!)
  • Peel, then mince or grate garlic.
  • Melt 2 tbsp butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Add panko, season with pepper, then stir to combine.
Make cheese sauce
2
  • Heat a large oven-proof pan over medium heat.
  • When hot, add 2 tbsp butter, then garlic. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 2-3 min.
  • Sprinkle 1 tbsp flour over top. Cook, stirring often, until toasted, 1 min.
  • Add milk to the pan with butter and flour. Cook, stirring often, until sauce thickens slightly, 1-2 min.
  • Slowly add cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring constantly until combined, 1 min.
  • Add jalapeños. Season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine.
  • Remove the pan from the heat. Set aside.
Assemble and broil
3

Add reserved pasta water and cavatappi to the pan with cheese sauce.

  • (NOTE: If you don't have an oven-proof pan, transfer mac and cheese to a 8x8-inch baking dish.)
  • Sprinkle panko mixture over top.
  • Bake in the top of the oven until panko mixture is golden-brown, 2-3 min. (NOTE: Keep an eye on mac and cheese so it doesn't burn!)
Finish and serve
4
  • Allow mac and cheese to cool for 1-2 min before serving.
  • Divide jalapeño popper mac and cheese between bowls.
Meal right image

Explore Similar Recipes

Meal left image