Bacon Macaroni And Cheese

A comforting classic just got a whole lot better! This Bacon Macaroni and Cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food, loaded with crispy bacon, a blend of three cheeses, and a silky smooth sauce, all baked to a golden brown perfection in a 9×13 inch dish.

Ingredients

• 8 oz macaroni
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound bacon, diced
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then set aside.

In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy.

Remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the grease in the skillet.

Add the flour to the skillet and whisk together with the remaining bacon grease to make a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes.

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

Add the cooked macaroni, cooked bacon, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.

Transfer the macaroni mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish and top with additional grated cheese if desired.

Dot the top of the macaroni with the butter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the macaroni is heated through.

Serve hot and get ready for a deliciously cheesy, bacony treat!

Notes

For an extra crispy topping, sprinkle some additional grated cheese on top of the macaroni mixture before baking. Make sure to not overcook the macaroni, as it will continue to cook a bit in the oven.

If you want a creamier sauce, add a little more flour to the roux or use a mixture of milk and heavy cream.

For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture. Feel free to customize with some diced onions, diced ham, or steamed broccoli to make it a one-pot meal.

You can also make this recipe ahead of time and freeze it for up to 2 months, then bake frozen for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 540
• Total Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Cholesterol: 60mg
• Sodium: 550mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 36g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 24g