Bacon Mac and Cheese

Name: Bacon Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons ﬂour; 2 cups milk; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 8 ounces parmesan cheese, (divided into 1½ cups and the remainder); 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, (divided into 1½ cups and the remainder); 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, (divided into 1½ cups and the remainder); 16 ounces elbow macaroni pasta, (cooked according to package directions); 16 ounces bacon (cooked, crumbled, and divided into ¼ cup and the remainder); 1 tablespoon butter, (melted); ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

This simple, hearty bacon mac and cheese is loaded with extra cheese, tender noodles -- and plenty of bacon.

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Table of Contents

Bacon Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Bacon Mac And Cheese Recipe
How To Serve Mac & Cheese With Bacon
Storing Bacon Macaroni Cheese
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
Even More Recipes You’ll Love

Bacon mac and cheese is a great way to upgrade dinner with plenty of extra flavors. Making mac and cheese is usually on the menu for most homes, especially if you have kids, and all that creamy, cheesy goodness plus bacon will be a guaranteed winner.

close up shot of bacon mac and cheese in a spoon

Bacon Mac and Cheese Ingredients

bacon mac and cheese raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

For The Roux:

3 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of flour
2 cups of milk
¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
¼ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of pepper

For The Casserole:

8-ounce block of parmesan cheese, divided into 1½ cups and the remainder
8-ounce block of mild cheddar cheese, divided into 1½ cups and the remainder
8-ounce block of mozzarella cheese, divided into 1½ cups and the remainder
1 (16-ounce) box of elbow macaroni pasta, cooked to al dente according to the package directions
1 (16-ounce) package of smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided into ¼ cup and the remainder

For The Topping:

1 tablespoon of melted butter
½ cup of panko bread crumbs

PRO TIP:

Al dente is the ideal consistency for pasta. The pasta will be tender and will still have a slightly firm texture when you bite into it.

Substitutions And Additions

PASTA: You can use classic elbow macaroni, or if you like something a little thicker and more substantial, swap it for corkscrew pasta, known as cavatappi or cellentani.

BACON: Pre-cooked bacon works just fine if you like, or just cook the bacon yourself. You could even swap it for something like pancetta if you love the smoky flavor.

JALAPEÑO: If you like things spicy, transform this into a bacon jalapeño mac and cheese by adding thin slices of jalapeño pepper to the dish once you are ready to serve. You can add even more spice by adding a dash of cayenne pepper to your roux.

How To Make This Bacon Mac And Cheese Recipe

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F.

STEP TWO: Grate the blocks of parmesan, mild cheddar, and mozzarella cheese and place in a medium bowl. Mix to combine and set aside. Reserve 1½ cups of the cheese mixture for the roux.

PRO TIP:

It’s best to grate your own cheese rather than use the pre-grated version in the bag. That’s because it usually has a preservative on it, which means it doesn’t melt as well.

shredded blocks of cheese combined in a bowl

STEP THREE: In a medium saucepan, melt butter (3 tablespoons) over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour.

butter and flour whisked together to make roux in a pot

STEP FOUR: Slowly add 2 cups of milk to the saucepan, stirring constantly. Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and continue stirring until smooth.

STEP FIVE: Reduce the heat to low and whisk periodically until the sauce has thickened.

STEP SIX: Add the reserved 1½ cups of the grated cheese mixture. Stir until melted and smooth.

cheese added to the flour mixture and stirred together in a pot

STEP SEVEN: Remove from the heat. Fold in the cooked macaroni pasta until well coated in the cheese sauce.

STEP EIGHT: Next, coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour the cheese sauce and macaroni mixture into the pan.

STEP NINE: Spread the remaining grated cheese mixture over the macaroni. Reserve and set aside ¼ cup of bacon crumbles. Spread the remaining bacon evenly over the cheese.

bacon and cheese sprinkled over the macaroni in a baking dish

STEP TEN: In a small bowl, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add ½ cup of panko bread crumbs and ¼ cup of the reserved bacon. Stir to combine. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.

topping sprinkled over the mac and cheese in a baking dish

STEP ELEVEN: Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your macaroni as the suggested baking time approaches.

How To Serve Mac & Cheese With Bacon

This is the ultimate comfort food and can be served on its own or on the side of an entree. If you are serving this as the main course, add pull-apart garlic bread and Caesar salad on the side.

If this has you wanting to try more upgraded ideas for your favorite pasta dish, why not try chili mac? Or, for an even spicier version, you could try buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

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Storing Bacon Macaroni Cheese

IN THE FRIDGE: Pop the cooled creamy bacon mac and cheese in the fridge in an airtight container, and it will keep for up to three days. To reheat, just add it to a baking dish in the oven and cook until bubbling.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze homemade mac and cheese and keep it there for up to three months. Wait until it is fully cooled, then store it in an airtight container.

Make sure you defrost it thoroughly, then pop it in a baking dish in the oven and reheat.

Adding crispy bacon flavor to mac and cheese is a simple and delicious way to upgrade the classic pasta dish. You can make a gourmet version of this bacon mac and cheese using something like pancetta or a quick option with pre-cooked bacon – it will always taste perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze the baked macaroni and cheese?

This easy mac and cheese recipe can be frozen for up to three months in an airtight container.

Are there other meats that I could add to this recipe?

You could add pancetta or prosciutto, as they are very similar to bacon and would give you the same smoky flavor.

How do I spice up my bacon mac and cheese?

Adding hot peppers such as jalapeños or a dash of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper would be great ways to make your dish spicier.

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Bacon Mac and Cheese

5 from 5 votes

This simple, hearty bacon mac and cheese is loaded with extra cheese, tender noodles — and plenty of bacon.

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 20

Total Time 45

Servings

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Ingredients

Roux

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons ﬂour
2 cups milk
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Casserole

8 ounces parmesan cheese, divided into 1½ cups and the remainder
8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, divided into 1½ cups and the remainder
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, divided into 1½ cups and the remainder
16 ounces elbow macaroni pasta, cooked according to package directions
16 ounces bacon cooked, crumbled, and divided into ¼ cup and the remainder

Topping

1 tablespoon butter, melted
½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Grate the blocks of parmesan, mild cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses and place in a large bowl. Mix to combine and set aside. Reserve 1½ cups of the cheese mixture for the roux.
In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour.
Slowly add 2 cups of milk to the saucepan, stirring constantly. Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper and continue stirring until smooth.
Reduce the heat to low and and whisk periodically until sauce has thickened.
Add the reserved 1½ cups of the grated cheese mixture. Stir until melted and smooth.
Remove from heat. Fold in the cooked macaroni pasta until well coated in the cheese sauce.
Next, coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour the macaroni and cheese sauce mixture into the pan.
Spread the remaining grated cheese mixture over the macaroni. Reserve and set aside ¼ cup of bacon crumbles. Spread the remaining bacon evenly over the cheese.
In a small bowl, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add ½ cup of panko bread crumbs and ¼ cup of the reserved bacon. Stir to combine. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Video

Notes

Al dente is the ideal consistency for pasta. The pasta will be tender and will still have a slightly firm texture when you bite into it.
It’s best to grate your own cheese rather than use the pre-grated version in the bag. That’s because it usually has a preservative on it, which means it doesn’t melt as well.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your macaroni as the suggested baking time approaches.

Nutrition

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Bacon Mac and Cheese

Bacon Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Bacon Mac And Cheese Recipe

How To Serve Mac & Cheese With Bacon

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe with Evaporated Milk

Pumpkin Spice Mac and Cheese

Storing Bacon Macaroni Cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

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