Creamy penne tossed with roasted jalapeños, crispy bacon, and rich cheese sauce. Spicy, satisfying comfort food.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
→ Bacon
02 - 6 slices bacon, chopped
→ Vegetables
03 - 4 large jalapeños, halved, seeded, and sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
→ Cheese Sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - Salt to taste
→ Garnish
15 - ¼ cup toasted panko breadcrumbs
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
# How to Make:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, arrange jalapeño slices on a baking sheet. Broil on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly charred. Remove and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the skillet.
04 - Add chopped onion to the skillet with reserved bacon fat and sauté for 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
05 - Stir in butter and allow to melt completely. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a light roux.
06 - Gradually pour in milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Whisk in softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, shredded Monterey Jack, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and fully melted. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
08 - Add roasted jalapeños and half of the cooked bacon to the cheese sauce. Fold in the cooked pasta and toss gently until evenly coated with sauce.
09 - Transfer to serving bowls or plates immediately. Top with remaining bacon, toasted panko breadcrumbs, and fresh chives if desired.
