Macaroni and cheese is about the number one dish I make weekly. (Sometimes, daily.)
When we go out to dinner and there’s mac & cheese on the menu, somehow my youngest thinks it’s a special treat to have a bowl of that kind made with the blue box. Especially when he finds a box in the back of the pantry…he acts as though he’s struck gold! (I have to admit- I like it, too!)
But, when you make macaroni and cheese from scratch, you could make so many varieties! The possibilities are endless.
This isn’t your “normal” cheddar macaroni and cheese. Creamy Havarti Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese is for the one’s that can handle some heat…jalapeno HEAT!
And, I’m not just stopping with the fresh jalapenos…the pasta is swimming around in a creamy cheese sauce with two different hot pepper cheeses.
Well, let’s start with what you need to make this creamy-licious (spicy!) delight.
Do you seriously see all of these (hot) peppers inside of the havarti and pepper jack cheeses?!
Jalapenos are my best friends. As I shared on Instagram (below), my little Easton made this surprise breakfast for me. Needless to say, I think my son assumes knows I eat jalapenos on almost everything!
Anywho…So, if you’re going to go “hot”, then why not have some cheeses with some heat to it, right? It’s not like the jalapenos don’t have enough heat in them as it is! But, we’re going to add more heat!
You may remember when I made the Naughty Fries with Pepper Jack Dipping Sauce. The sauce with those were made with only the pepper jack cheese. This time, I added some Havarti Cream Jalapeno Danish cheese! This sauce is very similar…just spicier! (You can usually find it in the deli by all the specialty cheeses.)
Start by warming up some butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream. I know, it’s not the healthiest. This is why I say creamy-licious!
Once the cream and cream cheese is all whisked and blended together, it’s the time for some melting greatness!
The Havarti cheese is SO creamy. And, with the blend of pepper jack, it is truly a friendship!
Pour the cheese sauce over some sliced (fresh) jalapenos and cooked pasta. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
I sprinkled some bread crumbs on top to have a little bit of crunch. This part is optional. (I used Panko bread crumbs.)
Here, just take a bite! It might be a wee-bit spicy. And, you’d try to resist that next bite you take…
…But, you can’t resist!
Your eyes might tear up a bit.
Keep going. It’s really not that bad.
You’re welcome!
Enjoy, my friends!
- 2 cups uncooked pasta, cooked to al dente (not all the way soft, it will finish cooking in the oven)
- 1-2 large jalapenos, sliced (pick seeds out to reduce the heat of them)
- 1 cup shredded (1/2 pound block) Havarti Cream Jalapeno cheese
- ¾ cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- bread crumbs, optional (I used Panko bread crumbs.)
- salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium size sauce pan on medium heat, melt butter. Add softened cream cheese and heavy cream. Whisk together until all blended and smooth. (Do not let it come to a boil.) Set aside and stir in the shredded cheeses. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour over al dente cooked pasta and sliced jalapenos. Stir until all combined.
- Put in a baking dish.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs on top. (Optional)
- Bake for 20 minutes or until all golden on top.
- Enjoy!!
The Creamy Havarti Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese is shared and linked up to party with {Mom On Timeout} & {Who Needs A Cape} & {Will Cook For Smiles}
Oh. My. Goodness. Looking at these beautiful picture truly made my mouth water! I wish I could really eat that bite on that fork full! I love jalapeño’s too! This will be on the dinner rotation ASAP! Thanks Gloria!
Tahnycooks recently posted…Gooey German Chocolate Cookies
Thanks Tahny! I just had to throw in the pic of the jalapenos on with wheat toast…I guess my son sees me eat jalapenos on (just about) everything bcz I love them so much. But, toast! Interesting!
This is the sound of me crying because it looks so good! Goodness gracious, I love it! Pinning!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl recently posted…1 Pint Blueberry Jam
Thank you Pamela! You always make me smile!
Gloria, what a total yum and I love this new twist on mac n’ cheese! It looks just fabulous – but of course, because you made it! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your awesome recipe – pinning and buffering! Hope your week is happy and fun!
Cindy Eikenberg recently posted…Asparagus Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Thank you for sharing Cindy! You always make my day whenever I see your sweet face and read your sweet words! (I need to go on a lighthouse trip up your way!)
Whoa!!! That mac & cheese is a looker Gloria! I love your version of this! Anything spicy or with heat makes me happy! 🙂 Looks sensational and it sounds delicious! 🙂
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted…Chocolate Raspberry Mini Muffins
I love spicy, too! Thank you Anne! Thank you for sharing, by the way! You are always so very kind!
This mac & cheese looks fantastic Gloria! I absolutely love this spiced up version, it sounds incredible 🙂 Hehe and Easton sounds so adorable for making you that jalapeno toast 🙂 Everything looks gorgeous!
I love how children surprise us and are so thoughtful…especially this age. It’s just melts my heart! Thank you Kelly!
We just had homemade mac n cheese last night, Gloria! But man oh man, I have to try this one next. I love havarti cheese!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted…Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Cookies.
We always seem to always be on the same brain wave! I have to resist eating a lot of the Havarti…bcz over here it’s over $12 a pound. I could easily “munch” on half of that alone! Thanks Sally!
LOVE the look of this. I love any kind of heat so this is a winner for me, and I also like how you mixed the havarti and pepper jack. Yum.
Julia @ hungryandconfused recently posted…Chipotle Sauce
I could probably add another spicy cheese…hehe! Thanks Julia! (=
Gloria, that Mac n Cheese has my name written on it. I love your version of the dish and those pictures are driving me crazy right now:-)
Sugar et al recently posted…No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Strawberry Mousse Duo
Thank you, Sonali! You always make me smile!
Gloria recently posted…Butterscotch Dumplings
Oh I love this Gloria. We adore homemade mac and cheese and I’m loving the jalapenos in this recipe.And the havarti…
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted…Monster Cookie Dough Truffles
Thank you, Aimee! I get super excited when there is some cheese with jalapenos in it! (=
Oh my goodness Gloria! This has everything I love!! Pinned and featuring this Wednesday. Thanks so much for sharing!
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Easy No-Knead Cheddar Rolls
Oh yay!! Thank you Trish! I’m so happy you like this recipe! (=
I love making spicy macaroni and cheese! I have not tried it with havarti yet but I’ve used pepper cheese and sometimes I add chipotle peppers to it! Your mac n cheese is to die for! Seriously, send me a bowl now! Pinned and sharing this on FB and Twitter tomorrow!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks recently posted…Orange Creamsicle Mini Muffins
Well, now I’m going to have to try it with some chipotle peppers…sounds amazing! I love spicy. Thanks for sharing, Julie! Have a good night!
Just made this recipe and I’m lost for words….By far the best recipe I have ever tried, it will now be my go-to comfort meal 😉 Thank you for sharing this glory!
Best wishes,
Alexis
I love a reply after trying the recipe..;)
My husband said this was the best macaroni and cheese he’s ever had. I made it for dinner tonight. Thanks for the recipe!
I did bake it twice as long though, added bread crumbs mixed with a dab of oil right at the end, then broiled it a min or two. Try adding a pinch of garlic sometime. Mmmmm
Cindy, so happy you and your husband loved this recipe! Thanks for sharing the garlic tip… more garlic has definitely got to be the best! 🙂
I made this last night for a work spread, we of course had it fresh for dinner and both three day off and the next day was fabulous. I did leave out a lot of the jalapenos because unknown persons were eating it, but next time, I’m going all jalapenos in. This was amazing, thank you for sharing!
Christi, you are so sweet! You made my whole day. I am so happy you loved this recipe. It really is my favorite to make… especially when those fresh jalapenos are growing. Have a most wonderful week! 🙂