Meet the ultimate comfort-food mash-up: Smoked Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese. This creamy, ultra-cheesy pasta is loaded with smoky bacon, roasted jalapeños, and a crisp breadcrumb topping that picks up a hint of smoke. It’s bold, cozy, and perfect for cookouts, game day, or holiday sides.
If you love jalapeño poppers, you’ll flip for this easy Smoked Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese. It combines cream cheese and shredded cheeses with bacon and fresh jalapeños for a rich, pleasantly spicy dish. If you don’t have a smoker, you can complete this recipe in the oven for a baked version with the same great texture.
The cream cheese and heavy cream make the sauce decadently smooth while the bacon and jalapeños add savory heat. Smoking the finished skillet adds another layer of flavor, but the stovetop and oven method is a terrific alternative when you need a quick weeknight side or a show-stopping holiday dish.
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pan convenience: everything cooks in a cast iron skillet, starting on the stovetop and finishing in the smoker or oven for easy cleanup.
- Flavor infusion: cooking the bacon and jalapeños first and then simmering the pasta in the same skillet ensures every bite is packed with smoky, savory heat.
- Quick smoking time: a 30-minute stint in the smoker at moderate heat adds smoke flavor without a long cook time, making this practical for busy days.
Ingredients For Jalapeño Popper Mac And Cheese
- Bacon – regular or thick-cut, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
- Fresh jalapeños – seeds and membranes removed for milder heat; leave them in if you want it spicier. Divide for dicing and thin slices to top the dish.
- Cream cheese – full-fat for the best creamy texture.
- Elbow macaroni – classic shape; any short tubular pasta works well.
- Water – enough to cook the pasta in the skillet.
- Whole milk – full-fat milk produces a richer sauce.
- Heavy cream – adds decadence and helps thicken the sauce.
- Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Cheese – freshly shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella melt best. Other good options for smoking include gouda, pepper jack, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack. Avoid very soft cheeses that won’t hold up to smoke.
- Breadcrumbs – for a crunchy topping; crushed potato chips are a fun alternative.
How To Smoke Jalapeño Popper Mac And Cheese
- Pan-fry chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease, then add diced jalapeños and cook 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the cream cheese until it melts and blends with the bacon and peppers.
- Add the macaroni, water, milk, and heavy cream. Simmer, stirring frequently, until the pasta is just short of al dente, about 7 minutes. Turn off the heat, then add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper and stir to combine.
- Stir in shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella until fully melted. Top with breadcrumbs and thinly sliced jalapeños.
- Place the cast iron skillet on smoker grates preheated to 300°F and smoke for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
How To Bake Jalapeño Popper Mac And Cheese
To bake instead of smoke: complete the stovetop steps, then transfer the skillet (or a baking dish) to a 300°F oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the sauce is hot and bubbling.
Pro Tips
- Cook the pasta just short of al dente (about 7 minutes) since it will finish cooking in the smoker or oven.
- Use mild fruit woods—cherry, apple, maple, or pecan—to complement the cheese and jalapeños without overpowering them.
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, prepare the dish on the stovetop and transfer it to a disposable foil pan before placing it in the smoker or oven.
Jalapeño popper fans will love this hearty pasta. The smoke elevates the dish, delivering a warm, savory finish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Smoked Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
Equipment
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Smoker
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Cast iron skillet
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Liquid measuring cup
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Sharp knife
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Cutting board
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bacon, chopped
- 6 jalapeños, seeded and membranes removed, divided (4 diced, 2 sliced thin)
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- 2 cup mozzarella, shredded
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
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Preheat smoker to 225°F (if using a smoker) following the manufacturer’s directions.
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Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high and brown the chopped bacon. Drain most of the grease, add 4 diced jalapeños, and cook 2–3 minutes until softened.
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Stir in the cream cheese until well combined.
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Add the noodles, water, milk, and heavy cream. Cook, stirring regularly, until the noodles are just starting to become tender—about 7 minutes—stopping a little short of al dente.
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Turn off the heat and stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded cheeses and stir until melted. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and arrange the remaining thinly sliced jalapeños over the top.
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Place the skillet in the smoker or the 300°F oven and cook for 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Tips
Freezer: You can freeze leftovers, though the sauce may separate when thawed and reheated.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in short intervals, keeping the dish covered to retain moisture. Stir in a splash of milk if the sauce seems dry after refrigeration.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition info is an estimate calculated by a program and may contain errors. For precise values, run the ingredients through your preferred nutrition calculator or consult a nutritionist.
Storage And Reheating
Fridge: Store leftover jalapeño popper mac and cheese in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can freeze leftovers, but the sauce may separate when thawed. Reheat gently and stir in a splash of milk if needed.
How To Serve Smoked Jalapeño Pop And Cheese
This mac and cheese pairs well with smoked proteins and simple sides. Serve it alongside smoked pork loin, glazed carrots, a green salad, smoked wings, or other crowd-pleasing appetizers for game day or a casual gathering.
More Great Smoker Recipes
- Smoked Cheese Potato Casserole with hash browns and a buttery crunchy topping.
- Smoked Meatloaf with a smoky, cheesy twist for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Spiced Smoked Ribs for fans of sticky, spicy barbecue.
- Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts for moist, versatile protein perfect for meal prep.