Bacon Mac and Cheese

Contents… Recipe Ingredients How to Make Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Pasta Recipes to Try Watch How To Make It

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

What is so special about this dish? Simple; it has bacon in it! Duh! ✌

Kidding aside, you’ll definitely love this recipe for its simplicity. Yet it is full of savory and bold flavors from bacon and a combination of different cheeses. The extra kick of heat from Creole Seasoning and cayenne is enough to create a flavor explosion in your mouth. And I’m telling you, it’s really comforting, not to mention highly addictive, too. 😋

Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes

Ditch the box because you can now make your own mac and cheese from scratch. It’s also pretty straightforward to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. 😉

• Macaroni – Most people use elbow macaroni, but you can always use any pasta you prefer. You can go for rotini, bow-tie, and shell to make our baked mac and cheese with bacon fancier and more inviting, especially for the kids. 😉
• Bacon – I consider bacon one of the greatest food inventions. Because its deliciousness makes our breakfasts more enjoyable and exciting, not to mention the rich and savory flavors it adds to our yummy dish. 👌 Aside from cooking our bacon on the stovetop, you can also try this oven-baked bacon.
• Butter and Flour – We’ll be making a roux to thicken our cheese sauce. And for best tasting results, use good quality butter because it makes a huge difference in flavor. However, you may use margarine as a quick substitute. We’ll be sauteing garlic and onion in this butter-flour mixture, too.
• Spices – Because I’m Imma, I always want my recipes to be as sassy. So, I added a spicy twist to our bacon mac and cheese recipe with Creole Seasoning and cayenne pepper. Woohoo!
• Evaporated Milk and Whole Milk – I recommend using milk with higher fat content, just like the combination of evaporated milk and whole milk, because it will yield a creamier sauce. You may also use heavy cream or half-and-half for this recipe.
• Cheese – Aah! Cheese! The freshly grated mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar combination give this mac and cheese its signature flavor. You can also swap them with provolone, Gouda, and Jack cheese for other exquisite flavor variations.

How to Make Bacon Mac and Cheese

Cook the Bacon

1. Saute the Bacon until Crispy – In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté bacon until brown and crisp this may take 6-7 minutes. Remove from pan and place on paper towel to drain and cool.
2. Reserve the Drippings – Scoop out bacon fat; you may use it instead of butter if desired.

Make the Roux

1. Saute Garlic and Onion – Add the butter to cast iron or skillet and, as soon as butter melts, add garlic and onions. Saute until onion wilts – about 3 minutes. (Photo 1)
2. Add Flour – Whisk in the flour, continue whisking until it’s thoroughly mixed with onions, and then cook for about a minute. (Photo 2)
3. Add the Liquids and Simmer – Slowly add evaporated milk a little at a time, followed by milk and broth; you do not want the mixture to form any lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. (Photos 3-6)

Season and Assemble

1. Add Seasonings – Add Creole seasoning and cayenne pepper. (Photo 7)
2. Simmer – Bring to a simmer and continue simmering gently for about 2 minutes.
3. Add the Cheese – Stir in the cheese mix and continue stirring until everything melts, evenly combines, and is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Photo 8)
4. Add the Macaroni and Bacon – Then add the pasta and bacon, stirring to incorporate everything evenly. Transfer the pasta mixture into a pan or lightly greased 2-quart baking dish, then top with remaining cheese. (Photos 9-11)
5. Bake at 375F°/190℃ for 10-15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Remove from the oven and top with remaining bacon and bread crumbs if desired. (Photo 12)

Bread Crumbs Toppings

1. Melt Butter and Saute – Place a small skillet on medium heat with a tablespoon or two of butter, then toss in a teaspoon minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
2. Add the Bread Crumbs – Throw in bread crumbs, saute for 3-4 minutes or until fragrant and slightly brown. (Photos 13-14)
3. Season – Lightly season with salt and pepper if desired.

Recipe Variations

• Bacon Swap – Aside from bacon, you can also use other deli meat, such as ham, salami, and pepperoni. Or you may also add chunks of leftover roasted pork, chicken, and turkey for a quick leftover makeover. Oh yes!
• Seafood – Since mac and cheese is a pretty versatile dish, you can also try it with seafood such as shrimp, crab, squid, and lobster. That said, you might want to check out my Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe. 😉
• Veggies – Why not? Veggies are naturally healthy and tasty; hence, making them a great addition to our classic baked mac and cheese. Still in doubt? Try it yourself with my Broccoli Mac and Cheese recipe. 👌
• Plain – Or keep it simple with the classic mac and cheese recipes such as Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, Stovetop Mac and Cheese, and Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure to not fully cook your pasta to avoid overcooking it since we will bake it later.
• Don’t forget to drizzle some oil on the cooked pasta, so it doesn’t stick together while making the sauce.
• For best results, I suggest buying blocks of cheese and shredding them yourself because pre-shredded bagged cheese is drier, and there’s other stuff added that you might not want to eat.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can totally make our Bacon Mac and Cheese ahead, especially if you’re serving a big crowd on the weekend. Just follow these simple steps below.

• Cook the bacon, cheese sauce, and macaroni as instructed. Then mix until everything is incorporated.
• Once cooled, transfer to a dry and sealed container.
• Keep it in the fridge for up to four days and two months in the freezer.
• When ready to serve, assemble in a baking dish and bake.

Serving and Storage Instructions

This recipe is one of the most requested dinners at home. My boys love it to bits and pieces, and I can’t blame them because it’s really good! I could eat it all day! Leftovers are rare and close to impossible.

But anyway, if you want to save some for later:

• Store – You can store the leftovers in a dry and clean airtight container.
• Refrigerate – It will keep in the fridge for up to four days.
• Freezer – If properly stored, it will last in the freezer for up to two months.

Reheating Leftover Bacon Mac and Cheese

• Oven – Bake the leftover in a preheated oven for 20-30 minutes at 350℉/177℃, covered with aluminum foil.
• Microwave – Reheat a small serving for 1-2 minutes in 30-second blasts or until heated through.

Pro Tip: Add about a tablespoon of butter and a splash of milk to your leftover mac and cheese before reheating to bring back moisture and flavor. You may also need to season it with salt and pepper.

FAQs

What to Serve with Bacon Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese with Bacon is already filling on its own, but it’s a fabulous side for these equally delicious dishes below. Because why not? More food means more happiness in my belly. Oh yes! 😋

• Crab-Stuffed Shrimp
• Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
• Roast Beef
• Cajun Whole Roast Chicken
• Smoked Turkey Breast

More Pasta Recipes to Try

• Salmon Pasta
• Taco Pasta
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta
• Chicken Pasta Bake
• Blackened Shrimp and Pasta

Watch How to Make It

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