Description
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add the beaten eggs and mix until the sauce is smooth.
- 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.
- Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish, spreading the breadcrumb topping evenly on top.
- 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
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 110mg