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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon Recipe Best Comfort Food

Baked mac and cheese with bacon in white dish, golden crusty top with crispy bacon pieces
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Enjoy this creamy and melty Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon, featuring a Crispy Bacon Mac Cheese Panko Top and loaded cheesy flavors. Perfect as a Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole or a Cheesy Bacon Mac and Cheese Bake for comforting meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb uncooked large elbow macaroni
  • 1 Tbsp plus 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
  • 2 oz 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 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup whole buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter plus more for greasing dish
  • 12 oz extra-sharp Cheddar cheese shredded about 3 cups
  • 4 oz Monterey Jack provolone or mozzarella cheese shredded about 1 cup
  • 2 large eggs well beaten

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot with 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook the pasta until tender but firm for about 6 minutes, reserving 2 cups of the cooking water, then drain and cover to keep warm.
  2. Butter a 13- x 9-inch baking dish liberally. Combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and half of the crumbled bacon in a bowl and set aside. Mix the flour, black pepper, dry mustard, and remaining salt in a small bowl. Heat the milk and buttermilk gently until just steaming, about 4 to 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat and whisk in the flour mixture. Stir continuously until it thickens and turns golden with a toasted aroma, about 2 minutes.
  4. Gradually add the warm milk blend, whisking constantly until it boils. Keep stirring for around 3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy texture.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add the beaten eggs and mix until the sauce is smooth.
  6. Stir the pasta to separate it, adding some reserved warm pasta water if sticky, then combine the cheese sauce and remaining bacon into the pasta.
  7. Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish, spreading the breadcrumb topping evenly on top.
  8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until firm, puffed, and golden. Serve hot or warm.

Notes

  • For crisp tops, broil 2–3 minutes at the end

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.amgroyal.com/baked-mac-and-cheese-with-bacon/