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Golden baked macaroni and cheese casserole with crispy breadcrumb topping and fresh cilantro garnish.

Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Bree Hester
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 669 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ears corn on the cob husks removed
  • 1 pound fusilli
  • 6 slices bacon cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 habanero seeded, deveined, and finely minced
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Sargento Pepper Jack cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Sargento Sharp Cheddar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips
  • 1/4 cup panko crumbs
  • 3 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the broiler and place the oven rack 5 1/2 inches from the heat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and broil corn for 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Let cool and cut kernels off of the cob.
    Broiling ears of corn on the cob on aluminum foil for Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. Heat the bacon in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the bacon is crispy, drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Remove bacon grease, leaving 1 Tablespoon in pan. Add onion, pepper, and habanero.
    Chopped onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and habaneros for Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.
  • Cook until soft and lightly browned. Add reserved corn. Set aside.
    Sautéing diced onions, peppers, and corn in a skillet with a wooden spoon for Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.
  • Mix tortilla crumbs, panko, melted butter, and cilantro. Now you have all the pieces of this mac and cheese, it is time to move on to the cheese sauce.
    Mixing tortilla crumbs, panko, melted butter, and cilantro for Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown.
    Whisking butter and flour in a saucepan for Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.
  • Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened about 10 minutes. It will be thick enough when it coats the back of the spoon.
    Cooking the milk and flour sauce until thickened for Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.
  • Remove from heat and add cheese.
    Adding shredded Pepper Jack cheese to the sauce for spicy corn and bacon macaroni and cheese.
  • Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth.
    Stirring the smooth cheese sauce for Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese in a stainless steel pot.
  • Add corn, onion, and pepper mixture, and reserved bacon. Pour sauce over pasta and toss to combine. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper as needed, I almost always have to add more. Pour into a 9x13 casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Or individual ramekins (about 6).
    Adding bacon, corn, and pepper to fusilli pasta with cheese sauce for spicy corn and bacon macaroni and cheese.
  • Sprinkle with tortilla and panko mixture. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving
    Sprinkling spicy corn and bacon macaroni and cheese with tortilla and panko mixture before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 669kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 25gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 825mgFiber: 3g
Keyword Spicy Corn and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
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