Description
Cheesy homemade bacon shells and cheese bring comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables with rich, creamy goodness. Crispy bacon bits and perfectly melted cheese create a delightful pasta experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 6 strips bacon (diced)
- 16 oz velveeta (cubed)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) canned diced green chilies
- 1 jalapeño (diced)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 1/2 cups (590 milliliters) half and half
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pasta water
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until perfectly tender, following package guidance. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid.
- In a cold skillet, lay bacon strips and render fat over low heat until golden and crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving drippings in pan.
- Elevate heat to medium and introduce diced onions, green chilies, and jalapeño into the bacon-infused skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour half and half into the vegetable mixture, creating a smooth base. Gently simmer, then incorporate Velveeta cheese, stirring continuously until completely melted and integrated.
- Fold cooked pasta and reserved cooking liquid into the creamy cheese sauce. Add crispy bacon pieces and stir thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Allow mixture to simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes, letting sauce thicken and flavors meld. Serve immediately while hot and bubbling.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum crispiness and robust flavor that holds up well in the creamy sauce.
- Adjust jalapeño and green chili quantities to control heat level, making the dish mild or fiery based on personal preference.
- Swap Velveeta with sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a more traditional homemade cheese sauce with deeper flavor complexity.
- Reserve pasta water helps create silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats shells without becoming dry or separated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg