Sweet & Spicy Bacon Jalapeño Mac and Cheese

by Richard More

Creamy, cheesy, crispy, and casually spicy. Comfort food just got a whole lot better!

There's nothing quite like homemade mac and cheese when the weather starts cooling down. But at For Pedro's Sake, we believe even the classics deserve a little extra flavor!

Our Sweet & Spicy Bacon Jalapeño Mac and Cheese takes everything you love about traditional mac and cheese and gives it a delicious twist. We're talking rich, creamy cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, a golden breadcrumb topping, and our signature For Pedro's Sake Candied Jalapeños.

The best part? We're using an entire pouch of our candied jalapeños, including the syrup, to create a sweet and savory bacon topping that takes this dish to another level.

Whether you're preparing a cozy weeknight dinner, hosting a fall gathering, or looking for a new Thanksgiving side dish, this recipe brings the perfect balance of comfort and casually spicy flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • The ultimate comfort food: Creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and a golden baked topping.

  • Sweet meets savory: Our candied jalapeños add a delicious contrast to rich cheddar cheese.

  • One pouch, zero waste: Uses all the jalapeños and syrup from one 6 oz pouch.

  • Perfect for gatherings: Great for potlucks, family dinners, and holiday celebrations.

  • Casually spicy: Full of flavor with our signature smooth, spicy finish.

What You'll Need

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 50 minutes
Servings: 8 as a side dish

Ingredients

For the Mac and Cheese

  • 1 full 6 oz pouch For Pedro's Sake Original or Bacon Candied Jalapeños

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 3 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Sweet & Spicy Bacon Topping

  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped

  • All the reserved syrup from your candied jalapeño pouch

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

Let's Get Cooking!

Step 1: Prepare Your Candied Jalapeños

Open your pouch of For Pedro's Sake Candied Jalapeños and separate the jalapeño slices from the syrup, making sure to save every drop.

Finely chop the jalapeños so their sweet, casually spicy flavor distributes evenly throughout the mac and cheese.

Set the chopped jalapeños aside and reserve the syrup for our bacon topping.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni for 1–2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente.

Drain and set aside. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

Whisk in the flour and cook for approximately 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking until smooth.

Continue cooking for 4–6 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.

Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and creamy.

Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Add the cooked macaroni and chopped For Pedro's Sake Candied Jalapeños to the cheese sauce.

Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated and the jalapeños are distributed throughout.

Transfer everything to your prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Make the Sweet & Spicy Bacon Topping

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy.

Remove the bacon and drain off most of the grease.

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the reserved candied jalapeño syrup and apple cider vinegar to the skillet.

Simmer for approximately 5–8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the syrup reduces into a thicker glaze.

Return the bacon to the skillet and toss until coated in that sweet, spicy goodness.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 6: Add the Golden Topping

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter.

Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese.

Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Step 7: Finish with the Bacon Glaze

Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let rest for approximately 5 minutes.

Spoon the sweet and spicy glazed bacon over the top, spreading it evenly across the dish.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Pedro's Tip: Bacon or Original?

Can't decide which flavor to use? You really can't go wrong!

Original Candied Jalapeños bring that classic sweet and casually spicy flavor that pairs beautifully with creamy cheddar.

Bacon Candied Jalapeños take things even further, adding another layer of savory bacon goodness to an already irresistible dish.

Either way, you're getting that signature For Pedro's Sake smooth, spicy finish.

Make It Your Own!

This mac and cheese is delicious on its own, but there are plenty of ways to make it your own.

  • Turn it into a main course: Add shredded chicken or pulled pork.

  • Bring it to Thanksgiving: Serve alongside turkey, stuffing, and your favorite holiday sides.

  • Make it extra cheesy: Sprinkle additional cheddar over the top before baking.

  • Give it some crunch: Add extra toasted panko just before serving.

Comfort Food, the For Pedro's Sake Way!

Who says mac and cheese has to be ordinary?

With creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and the sweet, casually spicy flavor of For Pedro's Sake Candied Jalapeños, this dish is sure to earn a spot in your regular recipe rotation.

And with one full pouch bringing everything together, it's an easy way to turn a familiar favorite into something special.

Ready to give it a try?

Grab a pouch of our Original or Bacon Candied Jalapeños and bring a little casually spicy flavor to your kitchen.

For Pedro's Sake — Casually Spicy. Always Sweet.

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