Jalapeno Macaroni & Cheese Casserole

A nice creamy comfort dish. I like it best on a cold winter's night with a good tequila lime chicken dish, but I'm sure you could have it anytime and it would be just as tasty! You may want to add some salt to this recipe. I leave it out because my doc wants me to stay away from excess sodium.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 3  jalapenos, minced and seeded
• 1  teaspoon black pepper, fresh ground
• 1  teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3  garlic cloves, minced (optional)
• 1⁄2 small onion, minced (optional)
• 5  tablespoons flour
• 2  cups milk
• 12  ounces elbow macaroni, dry
• 8  ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3⁄4 cup  Italian breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Melt butter in medium sauce pan.
3. Saute minced jalapenos, garlic,& onion until tender.
4. Add flour,pepper, cumin, and cayenne and stir mixture for two minutes.
5. Gradually add milk until smooth and creamy.
6. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time.
7. Cook macaroni until tender (if you haven't prepared already).
8. Drain macaroni.
9. Add shredded cheese to sauce and stir until melted.
10. Add sauce to macaroni in a buttered casserole dish.
11. Top with bread crumbs and bake until top is brown and bubbly.