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Bacon Mac and Cheese

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!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 553 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: American

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

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and lightly butter a 1 ½ quart baking dish. Set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Drain all but approximately 2 Tablespoons of bacon grease and add 2 Tablespoons of butter to the pot over medium heat.
  5. 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.
  6. Add spices (salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, and smoked paprika, if using) and stir well.
  7. While still whisking, slowly pour in the milk. Continue to stir over medium heat until milk and butter are completely combined.
  8. 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.
  9. Remove sauce from heat and add shredded cheeses. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
  10. Add cooked, drained pasta noodles and half of the chopped bacon and stir well.
  11. Pour into prepared baking dish and begin preparing Panko seasoning.
Panko Topping
    Cup of Yum
  1. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add panko and cook, stirring frequently until panko is toasted golden brown.
  2. 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.

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

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

% 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.