Dairy Free Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese

Recipe by Mandi Hickman

Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. gluten-free pasta shells (or pasta of choice), cooked according to package instructions
• 1 container Trader Joe’s cashew fiesta dip
• 1/3 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Pinch of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 strips of turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 large jalapeno, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped, leave a few thin slices for topping

Instructions

1. In a large soup pot add olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add diced jalapeños and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add cashew fiesta dip, milk, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
4. Mix everything together, keep stirring until it’s smooth, creamy and heated.
5. Once smooth, add pasta in.
6. Mix and fully coat the pasta in the “cheese” sauce. 
7. Add to a bowl and top with turkey bacon crumbles.
8. Top with jalapeño slices, add more cracked pepper if desired and enjoy!