Sweet Corn and Jalapeño Mac and Cheese

Name: Sweet Corn and Jalapeño Mac and Cheese
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ears of sweet corn (kernels removed and reserved, cobs roughly chopped); 4 cups water; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 small onion (minced); 1 garlic clove (minced); 1 jalapeño (chopped); 2 cups elbow macaroni; 2 1/2-3 cups corn stock ((or you can skip the corn stock steps and use vegetable stock or chicken stock)); 2 cups shredded monterey jack (plus 1/2 cup more for topping); 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese; 3 Tbsp heavy cream; Kosher salt and pepper; 2 Tbsp panko breadcrumbs

11 steps

Serves 3-4*

Updated at: Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:36:23 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Moderate

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories792.2 kcal (40%)

Total Fat41.4 g (59%)

Carbs77 g (30%)

Sugars12.5 g (14%)

Protein34.2 g (68%)

Sodium1283.9 mg (64%)

Fiber5.1 g (18%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

3 servings

3 earssweet corn

kernels removed and reserved, cobs roughly chopped

4 cupswater

2 Tbspunsalted butter

0.5onion

2 cupselbow macaroni

2 ½ cupscorn stock

or you can skip the corn stock steps and use vegetable stock or chicken stock

2 cupsmonterey jack

shredded, plus 1/2 cup more for topping

¼ cupfinely grated parmesan cheese

3 Tbspheavy cream

kosher salt

pepper

2 Tbsppanko breadcrumbs

Instructions

Step 1

For the corn stock, in a small sauce pot, add chopped corn cobs and cover with water. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer, and cook for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours. Strain. (you will need 2 1/2- 3 cups of the stock for the recipe)

Step 2

For the mac, in a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add in onions, garlic, and jalapeño and cook until softened. Season with salt.

Step 3

Add in elbows and stir to coat.

Step 4

Add in about 1/3 of the stock and cook over medium heat, stirring until most of the liquid is evaporated.

Step 5

Repeat this process until the pasta is al dente and there is a bit of liquid remaining in the pan. You want to maintain a simmer (not a full boil) through this process so that the pasta cooks gently and all the liquid doesn’t cook off without the pasta being able to absorb it and cook through.

Step 6

Reduce heat to low and stir in fresh corn kernels and cheeses until fully melted.

Step 7

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 8

Stir in cream.

Step 9

Pour into a small greased baking dish and top with the 1/2 cup extra monterey jack cheese. Sprinkle on panko.

Step 10

Turn on broiler to high. Place mac and cheese under the broiler and broil until golden, about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it!

Step 11

Enjoy!