January 13, 2023
Review RecipeBacon Mac and Cheese
This simple, hearty bacon mac and cheese is loaded with extra cheese, tender noodles -- and plenty of bacon.
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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.
Bacon Mac and Cheese Ingredients
You’ll need:
For the Roux
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 3 tablespoons of flour
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the Casserole
- 1 (16-ounce) package of smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
- 1 (16-ounce) box elbow macaroni pasta, cooked to al dente according to the package directions
- 8-ounce block parmesan cheese, divided
- 8-ounce block of mild cheddar cheese, divided
- 8-ounce block mozzarella cheese, divided
For the Topping
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
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 into 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 cheeses 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.
STEP THREE: In a medium saucepan, melt butter (3 tablespoons) over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
MORE MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES
Storage
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 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.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- The Best Meatloaf Recipe
- Oven Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- The Best Crockpot Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe)
- Million Dollar Mac and Cheese
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken
- Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
- Bacon Pasta
- Garlic Bread
Bacon Mac and Cheese
This simple, hearty bacon mac and cheese is loaded with extra cheese, tender noodles — and plenty of bacon.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 7
Ingredients
Roux
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Casserole
- 16 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 8 ounces parmesan cheese, divided
- 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, divided
Topping
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
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
Calories: 979kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1591mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1134IU | Vitamin C: 0.001mg | Calcium: 876mg | Iron: 2mg
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Comments
Treenat says
Fantastic flavors and a fav in our household plus the leftovers are great for school lunches.
Toni Thomason says
Seriously, my two favorite things. Bacon and mac n cheese. You cannot go wrong.
Kristin says
Can I prepare this early and leave in fridge until ready to bake? Or will the breadcrumbs become soggy?
Layne Kangas says
I would probably leave off the breadcrumbs until you’re ready to bake if you’re preparing it several hours early. Enjoy! 🙂
Gloria says
My kids absolutely LOVE this recipe! It’s a great side dish, too.
Gloria says
One of our family’s favorites!