Kamil Perry
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, but adding bacon to the mix takes it to the next level. This combination creates a delicious, savoury dish with a smoky flavour and a satisfying crunch. The salty, crispy bacon pairs perfectly with the creamy tangy cheese sauce, and the pasta is coated in a rich, smooth sauce. This easy-to-make meal can be baked in the oven or cooked on the stovetop, and it can also be customised with additional ingredients like caramelised onions, garlic powder, and breadcrumbs. Whether you're feeding a crowd or indulging in a comforting meal for one, bacon mac and cheese is a surefire way to satisfy your cravings and elevate your classic mac and cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dish type | One-pot |
| Main ingredients | Pasta, cheese, bacon |
| Cheese type | Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan |
| Additional ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, water, breadcrumbs, parsley, green onions, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, pepper, mustard powder, hot sauce, salt |
| Pasta type | Elbow macaroni, cavatappi, cellentani, shells |
| Bacon type | Hickory smoked, thick-cut, lardons |
| Preparation time | Quick and easy |
| Storage | Can be frozen for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Macaroni and cheese with bacon is a one-pot dish
To make macaroni and cheese with bacon in one pot, start by cooking the bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside, reserving some of the bacon fat in the pot. This bacon fat will be used to make the sauce, giving it a smoky flavour.
Next, create a roux by adding flour to the bacon fat and cooking it until combined. Slowly whisk in milk to create a smooth sauce. You can add more milk if you prefer a thinner sauce. Water can also be added to the sauce to adjust the consistency. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to taste.
Once the sauce is prepared, add the pasta to the pot and simmer it until tender. Elbow macaroni is a popular choice, but other short pasta shapes such as cavatappi, rotini, penne, or rigatoni can also be used. Stir the pasta regularly to prevent it from sticking and ensure even cooking.
When the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat and stir in shredded cheese until it melts into a creamy sauce. Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for its flavour and melting capability. You can also add Monterey Jack for a smoother sauce and cream cheese for extra creaminess. Finally, stir in the crispy bacon, leaving some for garnish if desired.
Macaroni and cheese with bacon can be served immediately. It is a decadent and impressive side dish that pairs well with grilled chicken, steak, or other proteins. To add some vegetables to the dish, you can include cooked broccoli, cauliflower, or butternut squash. This one-pot dish not only simplifies the cooking process but also makes cleanup a breeze.
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It's an easy dinner option
Macaroni and cheese with bacon is an easy and delicious dinner option. It is a one-pot dish that can be adapted to your liking and is sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings. The key to a great mac and cheese is a cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, gruyere, or a combination of both. You can also add other cheeses like parmesan and extra sharp yellow cheese.
To make this dish even easier, you can use pre-cooked bacon and cook it until crispy. You can also use elbow macaroni or any other short pasta of your choice. Simply cook the pasta according to the package instructions, and while that's cooking, prepare your cheese sauce. Start by making a roux with butter and flour, then slowly add in your milk, whisking continuously until you have a smooth sauce. Finally, add in your cheese and stir until melted.
Now, combine your cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, and mix in your crispy bacon. For an extra indulgent touch, top with breadcrumbs and bake in the oven until golden and bubbly. Serve with a simple green side salad, or some garlic bread for a heartier meal. This dish is also great for making ahead and freezing, so you can always have a comforting dinner option ready to go.
Macaroni and cheese with bacon is a versatile and simple dish that can be tailored to your taste preferences. It is a great option for a quick and easy dinner that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy sauce, smoky bacon, and crunchy breadcrumbs, it has all the elements of a satisfying and memorable meal.
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It's topped with bacon and breadcrumbs
Bacon macaroni and cheese is a delicious, indulgent dish that is surprisingly easy to make. It is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy meal, and the addition of bacon and breadcrumbs takes it to the next level.
To make this mouth-watering meal, you'll start by cooking your bacon until crispy. You can use thick-cut bacon or regular bacon, depending on your preference. Once your bacon is cooked to perfection, you'll want to drain the excess bacon fat, leaving just a couple of tablespoons in the pan. This bacon fat is full of flavor and will be the base for your cheese sauce.
The next step is to make the cheese sauce. You'll add flour to the bacon fat and whisk until combined. Then, slowly add in milk, whisking continuously, until you have a smooth and creamy sauce. You can use whole milk, half-and-half, or low-fat milk, depending on your preference. Bring the sauce to a simmer and add in your seasonings, such as salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Shredded cheese from a block melts better and has superior flavor. Cheddar is a popular choice as it melts well and has a great taste, but you can also experiment with other cheeses like Gruyere, Parmesan, or extra sharp yellow cheese. Add the cheese to the sauce and stir until melted. You don't want to get the cheese too hot, as it may separate and become grainy.
Combine your cooked pasta with the cheese sauce. Elbow macaroni is a classic choice, but you can also use cavatappi, cellentani, or any short pasta you prefer. Once your pasta is coated in the cheesy goodness, it's time to assemble the dish.
Transfer the cheesy pasta to a baking dish. Now, for the star of the show, sprinkle the crispy bacon on top, along with a generous amount of breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs add a wonderful crunch to the dish. You can also mix the bacon and breadcrumbs together before sprinkling them on top.
Finally, bake the dish until it's hot and bubbly. Your bacon macaroni and cheese is now ready to be devoured. Don't forget to serve it with a simple green side salad, garlic bread, or baked beans for the ultimate comfort food experience!
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It's made with a creamy cheese sauce
Macaroni and cheese with bacon is a hearty and indulgent dish, perfect for a comforting meal. The key to its appeal is undoubtedly the creamy cheese sauce, which is made even more decadent with the addition of bacon. This sauce is a classic combination of butter, flour, milk, and cheese, with a special twist of bacon fat, adding a smoky depth of flavour.
The process of making the sauce begins with cooking the bacon. The bacon is cooked until crispy, and its rendered fat is then used as the base for the sauce. This bacon fat imparts a unique, smoky flavour that sets this dish apart from traditional macaroni and cheese. By using the bacon fat in place of a more neutral oil or butter, the sauce takes on a richer, savoury profile that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
After removing the crispy bacon from the pan, a small amount of bacon fat is retained and mixed with flour to create a roux. This step is crucial for thickening the sauce and ensuring a smooth, creamy texture. The flour is cooked briefly to get rid of its raw taste, and then milk is gradually added and whisked in. The milk can be whole milk, half-and-half, or low-fat, depending on your preference. This mixture is then heated and whisked until it reaches a smooth and thickened consistency.
At this stage, seasonings are added to enhance the flavour of the sauce. A dash of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and pepper can be whisked in, infusing the sauce with a warm, aromatic kick. Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, it's time to add the cheese. Cheddar cheese is a popular choice, as it melts well and has a pleasant colour and flavour. It's important to avoid extra-sharp aged cheddars, as they tend to separate or become oily when heated. Instead, a medium or sharp cheddar works best to achieve that signature, creamy texture.
The cheese is stirred into the sauce until it melts, creating a luscious, gooey mixture. If the sauce becomes too thick, additional milk can be added, a tablespoon at a time, to adjust the consistency. This sauce is then combined with cooked macaroni and the crispy bacon, creating a mouthwatering blend of textures and flavours. The dish is then baked to perfection, resulting in a bubbly, golden masterpiece.
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It's best served hot
Macaroni and cheese with bacon is a hearty, comforting dish that is best served hot. This dish is an indulgent, flavourful meal that is perfect for a cold day or when you're craving something rich and satisfying.
The key to this dish is the combination of creamy, cheesy sauce, crispy bacon, and tender pasta. The sauce is typically made with a cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, and is flavoured with butter, milk, and spices. The bacon is cooked until crispy, adding a smoky, savoury element to the dish. Some recipes call for the addition of breadcrumbs, caramelised onions, or herbs such as parsley, for extra texture and flavour.
To ensure the best results when serving macaroni and cheese with bacon, it is important to consider the temperature of the dish. The dish should be served hot, as this ensures that the cheese is melted and oozing, creating a creamy and indulgent texture. Serving the dish hot also enhances the flavour of the bacon, keeping it crispy and retaining its smoky taste.
Additionally, the temperature of the dish during preparation is crucial. When making the cheese sauce, it is important not to overheat it, as this can cause the dairy to separate and result in a grainy texture. Therefore, it is recommended to use residual heat to melt the cheese, as the other ingredients will be hot enough to do so without applying direct heat to the cheese.
Macaroni and cheese with bacon can be reheated and served hot as well. To reheat, it is recommended to add a small amount of milk to prevent dryness and promote creaminess. Reheating can be done in the oven or on the stovetop, ensuring that the dish is heated through and the cheese is melted.
Overall, macaroni and cheese with bacon is a delicious and comforting dish that is elevated when served hot. The combination of melted cheese, crispy bacon, and tender pasta creates an indulgent and satisfying meal that is perfect for a cosy night in or as a side dish to other hearty meals.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Yellow Cheese are all good options. It is recommended to shred the cheese from a block instead of using packaged shredded cheese.
Elbow macaroni, cavatappi, cellentani, or pasta shells are all good options.
You can add breadcrumbs, caramelized onions, garlic, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, peas, or cauliflower.
It depends on the recipe, but most recipes require around 20-30 minutes of baking time in the oven.
Yes, you can freeze macaroni and cheese for up to 3 months. Make sure to store it in an airtight container or resealable bag to avoid freezer burn.
