Mac and Cheese Jalapeño Cornbread (Print)

Cornbread muffins with gooey mac and cheese centers plus the zing of fresh jalapeño for a flavorful bite.

# Components:

→ For the Cornbread Batter

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup yellow cornmeal
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
09 - 1-2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)

→ For the Mac and Cheese Filling

10 - 1 cup elbow macaroni
11 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
12 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
13 - 1/2 cup whole milk
14 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
02 - Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat. Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to the sauce, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with ground black pepper. Add the cooked macaroni and stir to coat. Set aside.
04 - In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, and the melted and cooled unsalted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Gently fold in the diced jalapeños.
06 - Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of cornbread batter into the bottom of each muffin cup. Place a heaping tablespoon of the prepared mac and cheese filling on top of the batter. Cover the filling with another tablespoon of cornbread batter to fully enclose it.
07 - Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread portion comes out clean.
08 - Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the tin before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses common pantry staples and fresh jalapeños for big flavor
  • Ready in under an hour with minimal prep dishes
  • Irresistibly creamy mac and cheese center in every muffin
  • Perfect for parties and picnics or a twist on classic sides
02 -
  • High in protein and satisfying thanks to cheese and eggs
  • Great make-ahead option for busy weeks and freezes beautifully
  • Each muffin delivers a balanced bite of spice creaminess and savory cornbread
03 -
  • Let your cheese come to room temperature and shred it yourself for the best melting results
  • If you want extra gooey centers slightly underbake by about two minutes watching so muffins stay moist not raw
  • Do not skimp on greasing the muffin pan even with liners as the cheese can make sticking more likely
  • Let the muffins rest for five minutes before removing from the tin this helps them firm slightly and makes the cheesy centers less likely to break apart

Back