Easy Bacon Macaroni Cheese
User Reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Cook Time
5 mins
-
Total Time
30 mins
-
Servings
4 people
-
Calories
697 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
Easy Bacon Macaroni Cheese
Report
Bacon makes everything better, right? OK, perhaps not quite everything… but it certainly makes mac and cheese taste next level! This super easy Bacon Macaroni Cheese recipe features crispy smoky bacon, oozing melted cheese, a wonderfully crunchy breadcrumb topping and perfectly cooked pasta – comfort food at its finest!
Share:
Ingredients
- 250 g macaroni (NOT quick cook – see Note 1)
- 180 g lardons (or diced smoked bacon)
- 25 g butter
- 20 g plain flour
- 500 ml milk
- black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 100 g mature cheddar cheese grated
- 50 g panko breadcrumbs
Add to Shopping List
Instructions
- Pre heat your oven to 220C / 200C / gas mark 7 / 425F.
- Cook the macaroni in plenty of boiling salted water for about 3 minutes less than you would normally do it. This is important or your macaroni will end up soggy and stodgy. Drain reserving a little of the cooking water.
- Meanwhile, heat a non-stick frying pan over a high heat and add the lardons (or diced bacon). Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, or until nicely browned.
- Turn the heat right down and add the butter. When the butter is melted, sprinkle over the plain flour and stir in well, then add the milk very slowly, stirring constantly until all the milk has been incorporated. Continue cooking until the sauce is roughly the thickness of double (heavy) cream.
- Add in a few twists of black pepper, the Dijon mustard and 50g/2oz of the cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is just melted and then turn the heat off.
- Tip the macaroni into the cheese sauce, together with about a tablespoon of the cooking water, and stir to combine. Then tip the macaroni and sauce into an ovenproof dish.
- In a small bowl place the panko breadcrumbs and the remaining 50g/2oz of the cheese. Mix together to make the topping.
- Scatter the panko topping evenly over the top of the macaroni cheese and place in your preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
Notes
- Whatever you do, do not make this with quick cook macaroni…or it will end in total disaster, AKA mush…you have been warned! 😉
- Not suitable for freezing. (Well, technically you can, but I don't recommend it.)
- Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
697kcal
(35%)
Carbohydrates
67g
(22%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
36g
(55%)
Saturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
0.4g
Cholesterol
78mg
(26%)
Sodium
669mg
(28%)
Potassium
456mg
(13%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
551IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
368mg
(37%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 697 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 697kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 67g | 22% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 78mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 669mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 456mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 551IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 368mg | 37% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
