Description
Bacon Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, featuring creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and crispy bacon. It’s quick to prepare, rich in flavor, and perfect for any occasion from family dinners to potlucks.
Ingredients
8 oz macaroni noodles
8 oz thick-cut bacon, diced
5 tbsp butter, divided
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp fresh rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
3 cups whole milk
1 tsp chicken bouillon paste
2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded (1½ cups for sauce, ½ cup for topping)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1½ cups for sauce, ½ cup for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease a 3‑quart baking dish with non‑stick spray, unless using an oven‑safe skillet—you can bake directly in that.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, then toss the noodles in a large bowl with 1 Tbsp butter. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, dice the bacon and cook it in a large oven‑safe skillet over medium‑high heat until crisp. Remove the bacon to a paper‑towel‑lined plate, and leave 1 Tbsp of bacon grease in the skillet (discard the rest).
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 4 Tbsp butter to the skillet with the bacon grease. Once melted, whisk in the flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, and rosemary. Cook for about 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to keep the sauce smooth. Once combined, stir in the chicken bouillon paste. Avoid overcooking the milk mixture—overcooking can make the sauce grainy.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1½ cups each of Gruyère and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s fine if the cheese isn’t completely melted at this stage.
- Pour the cheese sauce into the bowl with the noodles; stir until evenly coated.
- Transfer the cheesy noodles back into the oven‑safe skillet or prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheeses (½ cup each) and sprinkle the crispy bacon evenly on top.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden on top.
Notes
Whisk milk in slowly and heat gently to avoid grainy sauce.
Shred cheese fresh for smooth melting.
Add a splash of cream when reheating to revive texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 609 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Protein: 27 g