If you’re looking for comfort food with a twist, this slow cooker jalapeno mac and cheese recipe is the perfect dish to try. It’s made from scratch with ingredients you can actually pronounce and easily find at the grocery store. Trust us when we say this may become a new family favorite!

Most people are used to the store-bought, boxed macaroni, and cheese. While it can be quick and tasty, it’s not always the healthiest. With this crockpot jalapeno mac and cheese recipe, you’re making everything from scratch with minimal ingredients and just as much flavor. Along, with the bacon, this tastes like a jalapeno popper!

In addition to it being a better-for-you option, the prep time is minimal, and the cooking time is reasonable. This means you can start this meal just a couple of hours before you’re set to eat. It also pairs well with many main course options (more about that later).

Ingredients

• Macaroni noodles – elbow macaroni pasta is the best noodle choice for this recipe.
• Jalapeño – a must to make it jalapeno mac and cheese (and give it a bit of a kick).
• Cheese – five kinds of cheese come together for a creamy goodness cheese sauce (cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, swiss cheese, and white cheddar cheese).
• Cream and butter – heavy cream and butter help create the cheese mixture.
• Bacon – adds a slightly meaty taste and overall balanced flavor.
• Other – mayo, egg and salt

How to Make Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

Step One – Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain and add to the slow cooker.

Step Two – Add (melted) butter, the cheeses, and (whisked) egg, salt, and stir.

Step Three – Sprinkle bacon and jalapeno pepper on top of the mixture.

Step Four – Stir and cook on HIGH for 2 hours. (You’ll need to gently stir a couple of times throughout the cooking time.)

Variations

• Poblano peppers – These provide a much milder spice than jalapeno peppers.
• Mild – If you want to go completely mild in spice, substitute jalapeno peppers for green bell pepper.
• Fire-roasted green chiles – Typically used in sauces and Mexican dishes, the flavors of these peppers provide a charred and lightly sweet flavor. These can be purchased in the can.
• Pepper jack cheese – Trade out the different cheeses for this cheese that offer a hint of spice and cheesy flavors.

More Recipes with Jalapeno

Turn up the flavor with Jalapeno Pineapple Ham or Jalapeno Pulled Pork—both combine sweet and spicy for a delicious twist on classic mains.

For something bold and comforting, try Spicy Pinto Beans or a cheesy batch of Queso Verde—perfect as sides or party dips.

And if you’re craving something different for breakfast or brunch, the Jalapeno Bacon Quiche brings just the right amount of heat to start your day.