Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese Bites
Bringing this dish is a guarantee that you will get invited to the next football party.
Football season means one thing to me: football food. I love any excuse to have delicious snacks, but there is an extra magic to diving into some picky food as it’s coming out of the oven when there is a slight chill in the in the air.
These are the most perfect compliment to any game - win or lose.
Tips: You should use a muffin tin. I used a mini muffin pan to make these tiny bites. You can also mix everything the night before then just scoop and bake on game day to save a few minutes. It is also best to use fresh jalapeno if you have it… I didn’t, but it was still delish.
Serves: 24 Mini Muffins
Cook Time: 45 Mins
Ingredients:
1/3 - 1/2 lb Small Pasta of Your Choice (Small Shells or Elbows Recommended)
5 - 6 Bacon Slices, Chopped
1 Fresh Jalapeno (Or 5 - 6 slices if using jarred jar)
1 Cup Gruyere Cheese, Shredded
1 Cup Gouda Cheese, Shredded
1 1/4 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt or Cream Cheese
3 Tblspns Butter (1 for breadcrumbs and 2 for mixture)
3 Tblspns Whole Milk
2 Tspns Paprika
3 - 4 Tspns Garlic Powder
6 Tspns Fresh Chives, Chopped
2 Tspn Black Pepper
1 Egg
5 Tblspns Panko Breadcrumbs
Optional Toppings:
4 Tspns Cheddar
12 Jalapeno Slices, Halved
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray muffin tin with non-stick spray.
Lay the bacon on a pan and cook for about 7-9 mins, depending on your desired crispiness. Once bacon is finished, lower oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Cook your pasta according to the directions while your bacon is in the oven.
4. In a bowl, mix your cheeses, seasonings, chopped bacon, bacon grease, egg, greek yogurt or cream cheese, and chopped jalapenos.
5. Mix well and scoop into the muffin tin.
6. Bake for 20 mins.
7. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the microwave (this usually takes about 45 seconds) and mix with the breadcrumbs while the muffin tin is in the oven.
8. After the first 20 mins in the oven are up, take the tin out of the oven and top the mac and cheese with the breadcrumbs. I also like to add a touch more cheddar and half slice of jalapeno on each bite before I put it back in the oven, but it is totally optional.
9. Bake for another 10 minutes.
10. Broil on low for about 1-2 minutes just to crisp everything to perfection.
11. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Use a butter knife to remove the mini muffins from the tin.
Enjoy them with friends or alone!
