Best 7 Country Bacon Beef Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary adventure with our collection of mouthwatering mac and cheese recipes, showcasing unique variations that cater to every palate. From the classic Country Bacon Beef Mac and Cheese, a hearty and flavorful dish loaded with smoky bacon and tender beef, to the creamy and decadent Lobster Mac and Cheese, featuring succulent lobster meat and a luxurious cheese sauce. For a vegetarian twist, try our Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese, where creamy spinach and artichoke hearts blend seamlessly with melted cheese. If you prefer a spicy kick, our Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese is a perfect choice, combining creamy macaroni with spicy jalapeños and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Each recipe promises a unique and satisfying mac and cheese experience, guaranteed to elevate your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON



Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon image

There are few dishes more comforting and indulgent than mac and cheese, and this version will become your new go-to. Mac and cheese may seem straightforward, but in an all-star mac, each component is carefully considered and intentionally chosen to build a creamy, melty pasta bake. Master each element of the dish with this winning recipe.It all starts with the noodles, and in this recipe, we use large elbow macaroni noodles. They're a bit thicker than your average elbows, so they catch more of that creamy cheese sauce (and the exposed ends crisp up beautifully when baked).At the core of any good mac and cheese is a winning blend of cheeses; this recipe calls for three different types of cheese, each one serving a distinct purpose. Extra-sharp Cheddar brings that punch of sharp cheesy flavor and coveted orange color; Parmesan makes an appearance in the breadcrumb topping, bringing a natural bite of salt and crisping up beautifully. Then, for the third cheese, have your pick of Monterey Jack, provolone, or mozzarella, all white cheeses that bring creaminess and that stretchy, cheese-pull texture we look for in any high-quality mac.At the base of the cheese sauce is a roux-a mixture of butter and flour-and we incorporate mustard powder to bring salty, earthy tang. Then, to kick this mac and cheese up a notch, we add crumbled bacon to the breadcrumb crust and mixed directly into the pasta bake.From Skillet Cauliflower Mac to Macaroni Pie, there are countless ways to reinvent this comforting dish. But before you get really creative, it's important to master the basics. This Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon is an excellent, extra-indulgent recipe to keep in your rotation-it's sure to please a family or a crowd.

Provided by Nancie McDermott

Categories     Macaroni

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound uncooked large elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 ounces 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 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
3 cups whole milk
1 cup whole buttermilk
1/3 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing dish
12 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups)
4 ounces Monterey Jack, provolone, or mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
2 large eggs, well beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil over high in a large stock-pot. Stir in pasta and 1 tablespoon of the salt, and return to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender but still firm, about 6 minutes. Reserve and set aside 2 cups cooking water, and then drain the pasta. Return pasta to pot, and remove from heat. Cover to keep warm.
  • Generously butter a 13- x 9-inch baking dish, and set aside. Toss together breadcrumbs; Parmesan cheese; and half of the cooked, crumbled bacon in a bowl, and set aside. Stir together flour, pepper, mustard, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl. Heat milk and buttermilk in a medium saucepan over medium, undisturbed, until barely steaming but not boiling, 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
  • Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high. Add flour mixture. Cook, whisking often, until mixture is smooth and thick and has a delicate golden color and toasted aroma, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in warm milk mixture. Bring to a boil over high. Cook, stirring often, until thickened to the texture of cream, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses into milk mixture, and remove from heat. Stir in beaten eggs until mixture forms a smooth sauce.
  • Uncover cooked pasta, and stir. (If pasta sticks together, stir in reserved warm cooking water, and drain again.) Stir cheese mixture and remaining bacon into drained pasta in stockpot.
  • Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish, and sprinkle evenly with breadcrumb mixture. Bake in preheated oven until firm, puffed up, and lightly browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve hot or warm.

BACON CHEESEBURGER CASSEROLE



Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole image

It doesn't get much tastier than Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole! One of our favorite weeknight dinner recipes, this dish is loaded with cheese and bacon and cooks in less than 30 minutes.

Provided by Amanda Formaro

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 oz elbow macaroni pasta
1 lb lean ground beef
6 strips bacon (cooked and cut into pieces)
1 1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons cornstarch (may use less)
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup)
2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (1/2 cup)

Steps:

  • Cook the bacon first, I prefer to cook it on a sheet pan in the oven until it's crispy but you can cook it whatever way you prefer. Drain it on paper towels and cut it or break it into small pieces and set aside.
  • Cook your macaroni according to directions on the pack, then drain.
  • While the macaroni is cooking brown the beef in a large skillet until fully cooked. If after cooking the beef has a lot of fat/liquid/juice left you can pour some of that off, I prefer to use lean beef and keep some of the juice as I think it adds to the flavor.
  • Measure the beef broth,Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and cornstarch into a small bowl or measuring jug and mix well to combine the cornstarch.
  • Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with the beef broth mixture, stir well to combine beef, pasta, bacon, and sauce.
  • Cook on a medium heat until the sauce bubbles and thickens. If it's too thick for you, thin it out with a little more beef broth.
  • Sprinkle shredded cheeses over the top of the skillet cheeseburger mixture.
  • Cover and cook on very low heat until cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 portion, Calories 453 kcal, Carbohydrate 32 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Cholesterol 88 mg, Sodium 689 mg, Sugar 1 g

MAC 'N CHEESE WITH BACON AND CHEESE



Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 cups milk
2 or 3 sprigs thyme
4 cloves garlic, smashed and divided
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 1/2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
1 large onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, smashed
Leaves from 1/4 bunch fresh thyme

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, until al dente. Drain.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a small saucepan heat the milk with the thyme sprigs and 2 garlic cloves. Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to keep lumps from forming. Strain the solids out of the milk and whisk it into the butter and flour mixture. Continue to whisk vigorously, and cook until the mixture is nice and smooth. Stir in the 4 cups of the cheese and continue to cook and stir to melt the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked macaroni and the parsley and fold that all in to coat the macaroni with the cheese mixture. Scrape into a 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
  • While that bakes, heat a saute pan. Add the bacon, render the fat and cook until crispy. Add onion, garlic and thyme leaves and cook for about 5 minutes to soften the onion. Season with salt and pepper.
  • To serve, scatter the bacon mixture over the mac and cheese. Use a big spoon to scoop out servings, making sure you get some of the smoking bacon mixture on each spoonful.

CHEDDAR-BACON MAC AND CHEESE



Cheddar-Bacon Mac and Cheese image

Creamy, cheesy, and quick . . . it's everything you need.

Provided by Kraft

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 ¾ cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided
3 slices OSCAR MAYER Center Cut Bacon, cooked, crumbled

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook macaroni as directed on package. Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Stir in flour; cook 2 min. or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer on low heat 3 to 5 min. or until thickened. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese; cook and stir 5 min. or until melted.
  • Drain macaroni. Add to sauce with bacon; mix lightly. Spoon into 1 1/2 quart casserole; top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 385.1 calories, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 59.9 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 16.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Sodium 411.3 mg, Sugar 4.7 g

SLOW-COOKER BACON MAC & CHEESE



Slow-Cooker Bacon Mac & Cheese image

I'm all about easy slow-cooker meals. Using more cheese than ever, I've developed an addictive spin on this casserole favorite. -Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 3h20m

Yield 18 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups whole milk
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 package (16 ounces) small pasta shells
1 cup shredded provolone cheese
1 cup shredded Manchego or Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk the first 6 ingredients until blended. Stir in pasta and cheeses; transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker., Cook, covered, on low until pasta is tender, 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Turn off slow cooker; remove insert. Let stand, uncovered, 15 minutes before serving. Top with bacon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 272 calories, Fat 14g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 400mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

BEEF 'N' CHEESE MACARONI



Beef 'n' Cheese Macaroni image

"I love to make this delicious main dish for my brother and me when our parents are at work at dinnertime," reports Jamie Brown of Witchita, Kansas. The mild-tasting combination of ground beef and noodles is sure to be a hit with even the pickiest eaters.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 pound ground beef
1 package (7 ounces) elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cubed process American cheese (Velveeta)
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. In the same pan, melt butter. Add the cheese, milk and salt; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Drain beef. Stir beef and macaroni into cheese sauce; heat through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 279 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 392mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 15g protein.

BACON MAC & CHEESE



Bacon Mac & Cheese image

Jalapeno pepper adds an extra kick to this bacon mac and cheese, giving it great grown-up taste. I serve this comforting dish throughout the year.-Shelly Boehm, South Bend, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 servings (3/4 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 14

6 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 pound bacon strips, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
3 cups 2% milk
2 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 package (8 ounces) process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Dash hot pepper sauce
3 green onions, chopped

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Saute jalapeno in reserved drippings. Add milk and cheeses to pan; cook and stir until blended. Stir in the onion powder, chili powder, salt, pepper and pepper sauce. , Drain macaroni; add to pan with the onions and cooked bacon. Mix well. , Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 438 calories, Fat 26g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 1106mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

Tips:

  • If you don't have country bacon, feel free to use regular bacon. Just note that the flavor will be slightly different.
  • Use a good quality cheddar cheese. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish.
  • If you want a creamier mac and cheese, add an extra 1/2 cup of milk.
  • Feel free to add other ingredients to your mac and cheese, such as cooked chicken, broccoli, or peas.
  • Serve your mac and cheese immediately, or it will start to thicken.

Conclusion:

This country bacon beef mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

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