Name: Baked Jalapeño Roll-Ups
Ingredients: Fresh Jalapeños: (12-15 medium-sized) – These are the stars of the show! Choose jalapeños that are firm and have a vibrant green color. They provide the perfect vessel for our delicious filling and a delightful kick of spice.; Cream Cheese: (8 ounces, softened) – The creamy base of our filling. Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened to ensure a smooth and easily spreadable consistency. Full-fat cream cheese will provide the richest flavor and texture, but you can use reduced-fat if you prefer.; Shredded Cheddar Cheese: (1 cup, packed) – Adds a sharp and savory cheesy flavor that complements the cream cheese and jalapeños beautifully. Sharp cheddar is recommended for a bolder taste, but you can also use mild or medium cheddar depending on your preference. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly.; Cooked Bacon: (6-8 slices, cooked and crumbled) – Bacon brings a smoky, salty, and irresistible savory element to the roll-ups. Cook your bacon until crispy and then crumble it into small pieces. You can use regular bacon or thick-cut bacon, depending on your preference. For a vegetarian option, you can omit the bacon or substitute with finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a different flavor profile.; Chopped Green Onions: (1/4 cup, finely chopped) – These add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the filling and as a garnish. Make sure to finely chop the green onions so they distribute evenly throughout the filling.; Paprika: (1 teaspoon) – Contributes a subtle smoky sweetness and a beautiful reddish hue to the filling. You can use regular paprika or smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.; Garlic Powder: (1 teaspoon) – Enhances the savory flavor of the filling and adds a subtle garlicky note that complements the other ingredients.; Salt: (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste) – Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. Adjust the amount of salt to your preference, keeping in mind that bacon and cheese are already salty.; Black Pepper: (1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground) – Adds a touch of spice and depth of flavor to the filling. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for the best flavor.

Ingredients

Fresh Jalapeños: (12-15 medium-sized) – These are the stars of the show! Choose jalapeños that are firm and have a vibrant green color. They provide the perfect vessel for our delicious filling and a delightful kick of spice.
Cream Cheese: (8 ounces, softened) – The creamy base of our filling. Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened to ensure a smooth and easily spreadable consistency. Full-fat cream cheese will provide the richest flavor and texture, but you can use reduced-fat if you prefer.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: (1 cup, packed) – Adds a sharp and savory cheesy flavor that complements the cream cheese and jalapeños beautifully. Sharp cheddar is recommended for a bolder taste, but you can also use mild or medium cheddar depending on your preference. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly.
Cooked Bacon: (6-8 slices, cooked and crumbled) – Bacon brings a smoky, salty, and irresistible savory element to the roll-ups. Cook your bacon until crispy and then crumble it into small pieces. You can use regular bacon or thick-cut bacon, depending on your preference. For a vegetarian option, you can omit the bacon or substitute with finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a different flavor profile.
Chopped Green Onions: (1/4 cup, finely chopped) – These add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the filling and as a garnish. Make sure to finely chop the green onions so they distribute evenly throughout the filling.
Paprika: (1 teaspoon) – Contributes a subtle smoky sweetness and a beautiful reddish hue to the filling. You can use regular paprika or smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.
Garlic Powder: (1 teaspoon) – Enhances the savory flavor of the filling and adds a subtle garlicky note that complements the other ingredients.
Salt: (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste) – Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. Adjust the amount of salt to your preference, keeping in mind that bacon and cheese are already salty.
Black Pepper: (1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground) – Adds a touch of spice and depth of flavor to the filling. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for the best flavor.

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. This will prevent the roll-ups from sticking and make transferring them easier.
Prepare the Jalapeños: Carefully wash the jalapeños and pat them dry. Using a sharp knife, slice each jalapeño lengthwise in half. With a small spoon or your fingers (wear gloves!), scoop out the seeds and membranes from each jalapeño half. This step is crucial for controlling the heat level. Removing the seeds and membranes significantly reduces the spiciness. For a milder flavor, ensure you remove all traces of the membrane. If you prefer a spicier roll-up, you can leave some of the seeds and membrane intact, or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Ensure the bacon is evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture. Taste the filling and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or paprika to your liking.
Fill the Jalapeño Halves: Using a spoon or your fingers, generously fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture. Pack the filling firmly into the jalapeño halves, mounding it slightly on top. Don’t overfill them to the point where the filling will spill out during baking, but ensure each half is nicely filled for a satisfying bite.
Bake the Jalapeño Roll-Ups: Arrange the filled jalapeño halves on the prepared baking sheet. Place them cut-side up, ensuring they are not overcrowded on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the jalapeños are slightly softened and the cheese filling is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them towards the end of baking to prevent the cheese from burning.
Garnish and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Garnish the Baked Jalapeño Roll-Ups with additional chopped green onions for a fresh touch and visual appeal. Allow them to cool slightly for a few minutes before serving. This will make them easier to handle and allow the cheese to set slightly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 280
Fat: 22g