Description
This classic Bacon Mac and Cheese recipe combines creamy cheeses, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked macaroni baked to golden perfection. It features a rich, cheesy sauce made from cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, with a crunchy breadcrumb topping for added texture. This comforting dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
Bacon
- 6 strips of bacon, chopped
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the finished dish.
- Cook Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep ready for mixing with the cheese sauce.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon pieces and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, reserving the bacon fat in the skillet for added flavor in the sauce.
- Make Roux: Add unsalted butter to the reserved bacon fat in the skillet, melting it over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Dairy: Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken to a creamy consistency.
- Melt Cheeses: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, mixing until fully melted and the sauce is rich and creamy.
- Season Sauce: Add garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the cheese sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce ensuring the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy cheese mixture.
- Assemble Dish: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces, grated Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly, indicating the cheese is melted and the topping is crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving for a fresh, decorative touch.
Notes
- For extra crispy bacon, cook it separately in the oven on a cooling rack lined with foil.
- You can substitute whole milk for the heavy cream to reduce richness, but the sauce may be less creamy.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for the best melting and flavor results.
- If you prefer a crunchier topping, mix the bread crumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter before sprinkling.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
