Bacon Mac and Cheese
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5.0
21 reviews
Excellent
Bacon Mac and Cheese
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A twist on the classic dish, Bacon Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. This recipe feeds a crowd and comes together in just over 30 minutes, making it the perfect side dish for game days, potlucks, and holiday parties. Watch the how-to video for step-by-step instructions!
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Ingredients
- 8 8 oz elbow macaroni dry
- 8 8 strips thick-cut bacon uncooked and cut into pieces
- 2 2 Tablespoons butter salted or unsalted is fine
- ¼ ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 3 3 cups whole milk see note for different types of milk
- 2 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese see note
- ½ ½ cup freshly shredded gouda cheese
For Panko Topping
- 1 ½ 1 ½ Tablespoons salted butter
- ½ ½ cup seasoned panko
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and lightly butter a 1 ½ quart baking dish. Set aside.
- Begin cooking the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Once finished, drain, rinse under cold water, and toss with a teaspoon of olive oil. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, place chopped bacon in Dutch oven and turn stovetop heat to medium. Cook until bacon is crisped and then carefully remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside. Once cooled, crumble or chop bacon into small pieces.
- Drain all but approximately 2 Tablespoons of bacon grease and add 2 Tablespoons of butter to the pot over medium heat.
- Once butter has melted, sprinkle flour overtop and whisk until smooth and no lumps remain. Continue to cook, stirring, another 30-60 seconds to toast the flour.
- Add spices (salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, and smoked paprika, if using) and stir well.
- While still whisking, slowly pour in the milk. Continue to stir over medium heat until milk and butter are completely combined.
- While stirring frequently, bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Your whisk or spoon should leave a trail through the sauce and it should coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove sauce from heat and add shredded cheeses. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add cooked, drained pasta noodles and half of the chopped bacon and stir well.
- Pour into prepared baking dish and begin preparing Panko seasoning.
Panko Topping
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add panko and cook, stirring frequently until panko is toasted golden brown.
- Add remaining bacon and toss with the panko. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over macaroni and transfer to 350F (175C) oven. Bake for 15 minutes then allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before digging in.
Equipments used:
Notes
- For a bacon-free recipe, please see my baked macaroni and cheese recipe or you may omit the bacon and use 4 Tablespoons of butter instead.
- I have only tested this recipe with whole milk but it should work fine with a lower fat milk as well.
- While you may get lucky and have success using pre-shredded cheese, this often contains additives that can cause the sauce to separate/congeal. For best results, shred your own cheese. Personally I like to use a blend of white and yellow cheddar, but you can use just one type, that’s fine!
- This recipe can be prepared in advance, but note that as it sits in the refrigerator the pasta will absorb the cheese sauce and the results will not be quite as saucy. To prepare, follow the instructions through step 11. Allow macaroni to cool slightly then cover and transfer to refrigerator where it will keep for up to 3 days. Prepare panko topping as instructed and store separately at room temperature or in the fridge. To cook, preheat your oven to 350F and sprinkle panko over macaroni before transferring to the oven to bake for 30 minutes or until baked through and center is warm and melty.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1serving
Calories
553kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
33g
(11%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
36g
(55%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
93mg
(31%)
Sodium
793mg
(33%)
Potassium
321mg
(9%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
712IU
(14%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
429mg
(43%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 553 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 553kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 793mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 321mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 712IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 429mg | 43% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
21 reviews
Excellent
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