Jalapeño Popper Pasta

 

Creamy, cheesy pasta with a little spiciness and loaded with bacon. This pasta is rich and the perfect example of comfort food for me. 

Now, comfort food is usually not the healthiest, but eating it once in awhile is not a bad thing. There are a few things you can do to make this a bit healthier. You can use low fat cream cheese and replace the heavy cream with half and half. Instead of a main dish serving 4 people you can serve it as a side dish. 

To adjust the level of spiciness, you can leave the seeds in the jalapeños for a little bit more spiciness or take them out for a little bit less spiciness.

Jalapeño Popper Pasta

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 jalapeños, diced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shell pasta
• black pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings:

• shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• cooked crumbled bacon
• jalapeño slices

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and bacon. Mix until well combined and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, heat the oil. Add in the diced onions and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally. 
3. Add in the diced jalapeños and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Pour in the broth and cream. Stir in the pasta and season with black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it comes to a full boil, reduce the heat to medium-low heat and cook for 12 minutes, stirring often so the pasta will not stick to the bottom of the pan, or until the pasta is cooked.
5. Once the pasta is completely cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese mixture. Continue to stir until the cheese is completely melted and combined.
6. Garnish with toppings if desired. 

Enjoy!!!

Notes:

I used low sodium turkey bacon.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 657
Total Fat		54.8g
Saturated Fat		31g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0g
Cholesterol		160mg
Sodium		1089.6mg
Total Carbohydrates		26.7g
Dietary Fiber		1.9g
Sugars		5.2g
Protein		19.6g
Calcium		24.4%
Iron		1.6%
Potassium		83.3mg
Vitamin A		8.3%
Vitamin C		25.6%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from 30 Minutes Meals.