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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

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A rich and creamy baked mac and cheese with crispy bacon bits, perfect for comfort food lovers seeking a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped and cooked crisp
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 225 g)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 115 g)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (60 g)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30 g)
  • 3 cups whole milk (720 ml), warmed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (50 g), optional
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (25 g)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 slices of chopped bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. In the same skillet with the bacon fat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
  4. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of warm whole milk, pouring slowly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to taste.
  5. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese until completely melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, whisk in a splash more milk.
  6. Add cooked pasta and crispy bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat evenly.
  7. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese.
  8. Transfer the cheesy pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly on top.
  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until topping is golden and crispy.
  10. Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Slightly undercook pasta to avoid mushiness after baking. Warm milk before adding to roux to prevent lumps. Reserve some bacon fat for richer cheese sauce. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes but watch closely to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, bacon mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/creamy-baked-mac-and-cheese-with-bacon-easy-homemade-recipe-for-comfort-food-lovers/