Mac & Cheese with Bacon & Jalepeno's

Mac & Cheese with Bacon & Jalapeno's

Ingredients 
• ▢1 pound dry macaroni pasta
• ▢ Olive Oil to coat cooked pasta
• ▢ Season pasta with 1 teaspoon salt after coated in olive oil
• ▢8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)
• ▢1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢2 cups whole milk
• ▢1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• ▢1 Cup Water mixed into Heavy Whipping Cream
• ▢1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢Pinch of nutmeg
• ▢2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ▢1 teaspoon dried mustard
• ▢ Generous Pinch of Salt
• ▢ 2 Pinches of Paprika
• ▢ 2 Pinches of Cayenne Pepper
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons Mrs. Dash Original
• ▢1 8oz Block Colby cheese, shredded
• ▢1 8oz Block Colby Jack cheese, shredded
• ▢1 8oz Block Mozzerella cheese, shredded
• ▢  4 oz Block Parmesan Cheese, shredded
• ▢ 6 Tablespoons Pickled Mild Jalepenos, diced
• ▢ Save additonal sliced Jalepenos for adding to bowl once done.
• ▢ 1 package Bacon Cooked & Crumbled (reserve in bowl for stirring into Mac & Cheese once done)

Topping
• ▢1/2 cup Italian Breadcrumbs
• ▢3 tablespoons butter melted
• ▢1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt



Instructions 
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a deep 9 x 13 (3 Qt) baking dish

• In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients and set aside.

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.

• Drain, transfer the pasta to a large baking dish, drizzle it with a little bit of olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking. Toss to coat.

• In a large saucepan over medium high heat, melt the butter (do not allow it to brown). Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Continue to cook, stirring for about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, slowly pour in the milk in a thin, steady stream then, slowly pour the heavy whipping cream mixture whisking until combined and smooth.In a large saucepan over medium high heat, melt the butter (do not allow it to brown). Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Continue to cook, stirring for about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, slowly pour in the milk in a thin, steady stream then, slowly pour the half and half whisking until combined and smooth.

• Whisk in the black pepper, nutmeg, garlic powder and ground mustard, salt, cayenne, paprika, Mrs. Dash, stirring, until sauce comes to a slight simmer and begins to thicken.This will take about 6 minutes or so.

• Reduce the heat to low and working in increments, add half of each od the cheeses stirring until well combined and completely melted. Add the Parmesean cheese and mix well. The sauce should be smooth and creamy.

• Add in diced Jalepenos and stir to combine.  Remove pot from the stove.

• Pour the cheese sauce onto the cooked pasta and mix until evenly coated. Top with remaining shredded cheeses and sprinkle on breadcrumb topping evenly.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.

• Serve with bacon and sliced Jalepenos.