Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups uncooked cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup 2% milk
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips or panko (Japanese) bread crumbs

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain. Preheat broiler.
2. In a 10-inch cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes (do not burn). Gradually whisk in cream, milk, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. Add pasta, chicken, bacon and jalapeno; cook and stir until heated through. Sprinkle chips over top.
3. Broil 3-4 inches from heat until chips are browned, about 30 seconds.

Test Kitchen tips

• If your family likes spicy foods, add more Cajun seasoning or jalapeno pepper.
• Cavatappi is a tube-shaped pasta in the shape of a corkscrew.

Link to recipe