Creamy Jalapeño Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Scale
8 ounce Cavatappi Pasta
1 Jalapeño, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 scallions, sliced and separated into greens and whites
2 tablespoons butter cubed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoon cream cheese
1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and toss pasta in a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced jalapeño, garlic, and scallion whites to the pan. Cook until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, stir in the flour and whisk until a golden-colored paste forms, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper to the pan and whisk until combined.
- Add the cream cheese to the pan and whisk until melted and combined
- Whisk in the ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water and reduce the heat to low. Simmer, whisking, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes.
- Whisk in the Cheddar and Monterey Jack until melted and creamy.
- Stir the drained cavatappi into pan with cheese sauce.
- Heat your broiler to high.
- Transfer the mac & cheese to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish.
- Place the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds. Stir in panko until combined. Sprinkle the panko over the mac and cheese.
- Broil in the preheated oven until the panko is browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with scallion greens.
- Divide between plates and serve directly.