• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil (use a large pot for 4 servings). • Add bacon* to a large, dry pan over medium heat. Cook, turning occasionally and adjusting heat if browning too quickly, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. • Turn off heat; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. • Carefully discard all but a thin layer of bacon fat from pan (you’ll use this to cook the aromatics later).

• While bacon cooks, wash and dry all produce. • Halve jalapeño crosswise, removing ribs and seeds for less heat; thinly slice one half into rounds and finely dice remaining. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Peel and mince garlic.

• Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. • Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (2 cups for 4 servings), then drain. • While pasta cooks, place 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4) in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds. Stir in panko and 1 tsp Southwest Spice (2 tsp for 4). (You’ll use the remaining Southwest Spice later.) Season with salt and pepper.

• Heat pan with reserved bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add sliced jalapeño; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a second small bowl and set aside. • Add scallion whites, diced jalapeño, and garlic to same pan. Cook until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

• Add flour to pan with aromatics; whisk until thoroughly coated. • Cut top off carton of cream sauce base to open fully; pour contents into pan. Using a spoon or spatula, scrape any remaining sauce from carton into pan. • Whisk in cream cheese, 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water (1 cup for 4 servings), and remaining Southwest Spice; reduce heat to low. Simmer, whisking, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. • Whisk in Mexican cheese and Monterey Jack until melted and creamy.

• Heat broiler to high. • Roughly chop bacon. Stir bacon and drained cavatappi into pan with cheese sauce. (TIP: If your pan is not large enough, carefully transfer everything into pot used to cook pasta.) If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until cavatappi is coated in a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

• Transfer mac & cheese to an 8-by- 8- inch baking dish (for 4 servings, use a 9-by-13-inch baking dish). Sprinkle with spiced panko and sliced jalapeño. • Broil until panko is browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes. (TIP: Watch carefully to avoid burning.) Sprinkle with scallion greens. • Divide between plates or serve directly from baking dish.