Bacon Jalapeño Mac & Cheese

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil (use a large pot for 4 servings).Heat a large, dry pan over medium heat. Add bacon*; cook, turning occasionally and adjusting heat if browning too quickly, until crispy, 6-10 minutes.Turn off heat; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.Carefully discard all but a thin layer of bacon fat from pan (you’ll use this to cook the aromatics later).

While bacon cooks, wash and dry produce.Halve jalapeño crosswise, removing ribs and seeds for less heat; thinly slice one half into rounds and finely dice remaining. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Peel and mince garlic.

Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes.Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (2 cups for 4 servings), then drain.While pasta cooks, place 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4) in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds. Stir in panko. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat pan with reserved bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add sliced jalapeño; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a second small bowl and set aside.Add scallion whites, diced jalapeño, and garlic to pan. Cook until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add flour to pan with aromatics; whisk until thoroughly coated.Whisk in cream sauce base, cream cheese, half the Southwest Spice Blend (all for 4 servings), and ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water (1 cup for 4); reduce heat to low. Simmer, whisking, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes.Whisk in Mexican cheese blend and Monterey Jack until melted and creamy.

Heat broiler to high.Roughly chop bacon. Stir bacon and drained cavatappi into pan with cheese sauce. (TIP: If your pan is not large enough, carefully transfer everything into pot used to cook pasta.) If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until cavatappi is coated in a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer mac & cheese to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish (for 4 servings, use a 9-by-13-inch baking dish). Sprinkle with panko and sliced jalapeño.Broil until panko is browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes. (TIP: Watch carefully to avoid burning.) Sprinkle with scallion greens.Divide between plates or serve directly from baking dish.