And if I were you, I would cook extra bacon slices, so you have something to munch on while waiting for our bacon mac and cheese to come out of the oven. đ Kidding aside, youâll 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 Iâm telling you, itâs really comforting, not to mention highly addictive, too. đ
Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes
Ditch the box because you can now make your own mac and cheese from scratch. Itâs also pretty straightforward to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. đ
Macaroni â 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. đ Bacon â 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. đ Aside from cooking our bacon on the stovetop, you can also try this oven-baked bacon.Butter and Flour â Weâll 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. Weâll be sauteing garlic and onion in this butter-flour mixture, too.Spices â Because Iâm 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 â 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 â 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 Make the Roux Season and Assemble Bread Crumbs Toppings
Recipe Variations
Bacon Swap â 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 â 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. đVeggies â 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. đPlain â 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.Donât forget to drizzle some oil on the cooked pasta, so it doesnât 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 thereâs 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 youâre 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 canât blame them because itâs 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 â You can store the leftovers in a dry and clean airtight container.Refrigerate â It will keep in the fridge for up to four days.Freezer â If properly stored, it will last in the freezer for up to two months.
Reheating Leftover Bacon Mac and Cheese
Oven â Bake the leftover in a preheated oven for 20-30 minutes at 350â/177â, covered with aluminum foil.Microwave â Reheat a small serving for 1-2 minutes in 30-second blasts or until heated through.
What to Serve with Bacon Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese with Bacon is already filling on its own, but itâs a fabulous side for these equally delicious dishes below. Because why not? More food means more happiness in my belly. Oh yes! đ
Crab-Stuffed ShrimpInstant Pot Country Style RibsRoast BeefCajun Whole Roast ChickenSmoked Turkey Breast
More Pasta Recipes to Try
Salmon PastaTaco PastaCreamy Mushroom PastaChicken Pasta BakeBlackened Shrimp and Pasta
Watch How to Make It
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