Jalapeño Popper Macaroni Salad Recipe
This Jalapeño Popper Macaroni Salad is a creamy, spicy twist on the classic macaroni salad, inspired by the popular jalapeño popper appetizer. Featuring tender pasta, sharp cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, and spicy jalapeños all coated in a rich cream cheese-based dressing, this salad is perfect as a flavorful side dish for barbecues, picnics, or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Vegetables
- 2 large jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
Dressing & Cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Protein
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down, then drain well.
- Prepare Dressing and Add-ins: In a mixing bowl, soften the cream cheese and stir until smooth. Add the finely chopped jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. Mix well to combine all the flavors evenly in the dressing.
- Combine and Chill: Add the cooked and cooled pasta to the dressing mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is coated with the creamy, spicy dressing. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For less heat, remove all seeds and membranes from jalapeños before chopping.
- Use thick-cut bacon for a smokier flavor and satisfying texture.
- This salad can be made a day in advance and tastes even better after resting overnight.
Keywords: jalapeño popper macaroni salad, creamy pasta salad, spicy macaroni salad, bacon cheddar pasta salad
Find it online: https://famdishes.com/jalapeno-popper-macaroni-salad-recipe/
