Jalapeño Mac and Cheese
This Jalapeño Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced with sharp cheddar, Boursin cheese, and chopped jalapeños. Topped with buttery breadcrumbs, it's baked to golden perfection—perfect for a cozy dinner or potluck dish!
4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups half-and-half or whole milk
- 1 5 oz package Boursin cheese (garlic and herb)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 4 oz can chopped jalapeños
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Topping:
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and whisk continuously for approximately 2 minutes to create a roux. The mixture should become slightly golden and bubbly.
- Gradually pour in the half-and-half, whisking constantly to ensure a smooth consistency. Once the sauce begins to thicken, add the Boursin cheese and continue stirring until fully melted and combined.
- Incorporate the sharp cheddar cheese and jalapeños, stirring until the cheddar is completely melted. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the sauce becomes too thick, a splash of additional milk can help loosen it.
Combine the Pasta and Sauce
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, gently folding it in to ensure each piece of pasta is well coated.
- Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and combine with the breadcrumbs in a small bowl, stirring until fully coated.
- Evenly distribute the buttered breadcrumbs over the top of the mac and cheese in the baking dish.
Bake the Mac and Cheese
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and allow the mac and cheese to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
To make this Jalapeño Mac and Cheese gluten-free:
- Substitute the elbow macaroni with a gluten-free pasta of choice.
- Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch (use half the amount of flour).
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping.
- Ensure all other ingredients, including the Boursin cheese and jalapeños, are certified gluten-free.