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Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Loaded with gorgeous green broccoli and topped with crispy bacon, this cheesy comfort food is ready to rock your face off. My family goes bonkers over this bacon broccoli mac and cheese!

Prep Time
12 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 601 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3-4  slices cooked bacon
  • 5-6 oz freshly grated cheddar cheese (see notes)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets (steamed or blanched)
  • 8 oz dry pasta
  • ¼ cup  unsalted butter
  • 1/4  cup all purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk (room temperature or warmed)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp  garlic powder
  • 1/8  tsp black pepper
  • Additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Measure out all your ingredients, chop your broccoli, and grate your cheese.
  3. Boil pasta per package instructions (times will vary a smidge by brand/shape) until al dente. Drain and set aside one done.
  4. While the pasta cooks, start your sauce and broccoli.
  5. Cook broccoli via your favorite method. I'm a big fan of quickly blanching broccoli in boiling hot water until the florets turn bright green and tender.
  6. For the sauce, melt 1/2 stick of butter (1/4 cup) over medium heat.
  7. Add flour and whisk constantly while the flour cooks off into a roux, approx. 3 minutes. 
  8. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, to taste.
  9. Slowly pour in your room temperature milk, whisking constantly until smooth and fully incorporated. Remove from heat. Sauce will thicken  as it rests.
  10. Add pasta and broccoli florets to a 9-inch baking dish.
  11. Sprinkle 5-6 ounces of freshly grated cheese on top of the pasta.
  12. Pour your cream sauce over the noodles and cheese. Use a rubber spatula to fold it all together. Feel free to top with a little extra cheese if you'd like, then top with bacon.
  13. Bake on center rack at 350 F for 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

Notes

  • CRAZY FOR CHEESE? You can add a little extra on top before baking to amp up the cheese-factor even further! I made mine with a mixture of sharp white cheddar and medium cheddar cheese but love adding gouda to my mac and cheese as well. Gouda and cheddar are amatch made in heaven! I highly suggest using a good quality brick or wedge cheese and grating it yourself - the flavor and texture will be spot-on this way!
  • Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 601kcal (30%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 18g (90%) Cholesterol 87mg (29%) Potassium 583mg (17%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 11g (22%) Vitamin A 1783IU (36%) Vitamin C 62mg (69%) Calcium 451mg (45%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 601

% Daily Value*

Calories 601kcal 30%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 18g 90%
Cholesterol 87mg 29%
Potassium 583mg 12%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 11g 22%
Vitamin A 1783IU 36%
Vitamin C 62mg 69%
Calcium 451mg 45%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.