Loaded Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Loaded mac and cheese spiced with Pepper Jack cheese takes this comfort food up a notch.
Author:
Recipe type: Pasta/Comfort Food/Dinner
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
  • 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions and drained.
  • 8-16 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • ½ cup butter (Can use part or all bacon grease in place of the butter.)
  • 3 large cloves of garlic, crushed
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • pinch of ground mustard or nutmeg if desired
  • 3 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese, divided
  • green onions for garnish, optional
Instructions
  1. Cook the elbow macaroni and drain it. Cook the bacon. Set both aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  3. In a deep skillet, add ½ cup butter and crushed garlic. (You can use part bacon grease in place of some of the butter if desired.)
  4. Once butter is melted and garlic has sautéed and is fragrant, add the flour and stir to create a roux. Stir roux for 1 minute.
  5. Next, add the milk and heavy cream and stir vigorously while adding to avoid lumps.
  6. Next, stir in the cream cheese, salt, pepper, and pinch of ground mustard or nutmeg (optional).
  7. When the cream cheese has completely melted, remove the pan from heat and add 2 cups of shredded Pepper Jack cheese and the bacon pieces. (Reserve a small amount of bacon to sprinkle on top of the casserole.) Stir until cheese is melted.
  8. Next, add the cheese mixture to the cooked elbow macaroni. Stir until combined and pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
  9. Top with remaining shredded Pepper Jack cheese, bacon pieces, and sliced green onion if desired.
  10. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until heated through and the cheese on top is browning.
Recipe by Real Life Dinner at https://reallifedinner.com/loaded-pepper-jack-mac-and-cheese/