Best Savory Bacon Mac And Cheese Recipes

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BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON



Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon image

There are few dishes more comforting and indulgent than mac and cheese, and this version will become your new go-to. Mac and cheese may seem straightforward, but in an all-star mac, each component is carefully considered and intentionally chosen to build a creamy, melty pasta bake. Master each element of the dish with this winning recipe.It all starts with the noodles, and in this recipe, we use large elbow macaroni noodles. They're a bit thicker than your average elbows, so they catch more of that creamy cheese sauce (and the exposed ends crisp up beautifully when baked).At the core of any good mac and cheese is a winning blend of cheeses; this recipe calls for three different types of cheese, each one serving a distinct purpose. Extra-sharp Cheddar brings that punch of sharp cheesy flavor and coveted orange color; Parmesan makes an appearance in the breadcrumb topping, bringing a natural bite of salt and crisping up beautifully. Then, for the third cheese, have your pick of Monterey Jack, provolone, or mozzarella, all white cheeses that bring creaminess and that stretchy, cheese-pull texture we look for in any high-quality mac.At the base of the cheese sauce is a roux-a mixture of butter and flour-and we incorporate mustard powder to bring salty, earthy tang. Then, to kick this mac and cheese up a notch, we add crumbled bacon to the breadcrumb crust and mixed directly into the pasta bake.From Skillet Cauliflower Mac to Macaroni Pie, there are countless ways to reinvent this comforting dish. But before you get really creative, it's important to master the basics. This Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon is an excellent, extra-indulgent recipe to keep in your rotation-it's sure to please a family or a crowd.

Provided by Nancie McDermott

Categories     Macaroni

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound uncooked large elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated (about 1/2 cup)
6 thick-cut bacon slices, cooked and crumbled, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
3 cups whole milk
1 cup whole buttermilk
1/3 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing dish
12 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups)
4 ounces Monterey Jack, provolone, or mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
2 large eggs, well beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil over high in a large stock-pot. Stir in pasta and 1 tablespoon of the salt, and return to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender but still firm, about 6 minutes. Reserve and set aside 2 cups cooking water, and then drain the pasta. Return pasta to pot, and remove from heat. Cover to keep warm.
  • Generously butter a 13- x 9-inch baking dish, and set aside. Toss together breadcrumbs; Parmesan cheese; and half of the cooked, crumbled bacon in a bowl, and set aside. Stir together flour, pepper, mustard, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl. Heat milk and buttermilk in a medium saucepan over medium, undisturbed, until barely steaming but not boiling, 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
  • Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high. Add flour mixture. Cook, whisking often, until mixture is smooth and thick and has a delicate golden color and toasted aroma, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in warm milk mixture. Bring to a boil over high. Cook, stirring often, until thickened to the texture of cream, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses into milk mixture, and remove from heat. Stir in beaten eggs until mixture forms a smooth sauce.
  • Uncover cooked pasta, and stir. (If pasta sticks together, stir in reserved warm cooking water, and drain again.) Stir cheese mixture and remaining bacon into drained pasta in stockpot.
  • Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish, and sprinkle evenly with breadcrumb mixture. Bake in preheated oven until firm, puffed up, and lightly browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve hot or warm.

CHEDDAR-BACON MAC AND CHEESE



Cheddar-Bacon Mac and Cheese image

Creamy, cheesy, and quick . . . it's everything you need.

Provided by Kraft

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 ¾ cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided
3 slices OSCAR MAYER Center Cut Bacon, cooked, crumbled

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook macaroni as directed on package. Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Stir in flour; cook 2 min. or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer on low heat 3 to 5 min. or until thickened. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese; cook and stir 5 min. or until melted.
  • Drain macaroni. Add to sauce with bacon; mix lightly. Spoon into 1 1/2 quart casserole; top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 385.1 calories, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 59.9 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 16.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Sodium 411.3 mg, Sugar 4.7 g

BACON MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole image

Serve up our Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole and make the whole family happy. Our time-tested, savory Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole always pleases.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings, 1 cup each

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) Vermont sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
4 oz. (about 2/3 of 7-oz. pkg.) Havarti cheese, shredded
3 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk, divided
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
6 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices, cooked
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400ºF.
  • Combine cheeses. Bring 1-1/2 cups milk just to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat. Whisk flour and remaining milk in small bowl until blended; gradually whisk into heated milk. Cook 2 to 3 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  • Add 1-1/2 cups cheese mixture; stir until melted. Stir in pasta, macaroni and bacon.
  • Spoon into 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheese mixture and bread crumbs.
  • Bake 12 to 15 min. or until macaroni mixture is heated through and bread crumbs are lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, TransFat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Sodium 440 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 20 g

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