**Karen's Mac and Cheese with Bacon: A Comforting Classic with a Savory Twist**
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Karen's Mac and Cheese with Bacon, a delectable dish that combines creamy macaroni and cheese with the smoky, crispy goodness of bacon. This classic recipe elevates the traditional mac and cheese by adding a layer of savory bacon flavor that perfectly complements the richness of the cheese sauce. Whether you're a fan of traditional mac and cheese or looking for a new twist on an old favorite, this recipe has something for everyone.
**Additional Recipes to Explore:**
**1. Creamy Pesto Mac and Cheese:** This recipe adds a vibrant twist to classic mac and cheese by incorporating flavorful pesto sauce. The combination of basil, garlic, and parmesan creates a deliciously savory and aromatic dish.
**2. Baked Buffalo Mac and Cheese:** Get ready for a spicy and cheesy delight with this baked buffalo mac and cheese. The recipe features a creamy buffalo sauce that coats the macaroni and cheese, resulting in a dish that's both indulgent and packed with flavor.
**3. Lobster Mac and Cheese:** Experience the ultimate seafood indulgence with this luxurious lobster mac and cheese. Chunks of succulent lobster are combined with a creamy cheese sauce and tender macaroni, creating a dish that's perfect for special occasions.
**4. BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese:** This recipe combines the smoky flavors of barbecue chicken with creamy mac and cheese. Juicy chicken is smothered in a tangy barbecue sauce and combined with macaroni and a rich cheese sauce, resulting in a dish that's sure to satisfy your cravings.
**5. Truffle Mac and Cheese:** Indulge in the decadent flavors of truffles with this luxurious mac and cheese recipe. Black truffle paste adds an earthy and aromatic depth of flavor to the creamy cheese sauce, creating a dish that's both sophisticated and comforting.
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON
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
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.
KAREN'S MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON
We're not sure there are many flavors that pair better than bacon and cheese. The more cheese (and bacon) the better and this macaroni and cheese recipe is packed with both! We love the variety of cheeses... makes for creamy mac and cheese. The bacon adds a bit of a salty, smoky flavor that complements the cheesy goodness.
Provided by karen wilsey
Categories Pasta
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. Cut Velveeta cheese into small cubes. Combine remaining cheese in a bowl.
- 2. Put the cheese, butter, milk, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until cheese is melted.
- 3. Add pasta and bacon to cheese mixture.
- 4. Pour into a large casserole dish that has been prepared with vegetable spray. Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly over pasta.
- 5. Bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.
- 6. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
MAC 'N CHEESE WITH BACON AND CHEESE
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH BACON
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 F (180 C/Gas 4).
- Bake the macaroni and cheese casserole for 25 to 30 minutes, until lightly browned and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 502 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Cholesterol 82 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 22 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Sodium 747 mg, Sugar 7 g, Fat 30 g, ServingSize 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
KILLER MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON
Provided by Anne Burrell
Time 45m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Drizzle a bit of olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the bacon and set the pan over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Do not discard the bacon fat: Reserve that deliciousness!
- Add the butter and onion to the pan with the bacon fat; season with salt and cook until the onion is soft and aromatic, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 3 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, mustard and a few shakes of Tabasco. Season with salt and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the mixture is slightly thicker than heavy cream, 6 to 8 more minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 1 minute less than the instructions on the package suggest. Taste it: It should be toothsome, with just a little nugget of hard pasta still in the center-this is al dente. Drain the pasta.
- Add the Cheddar, fontina and Parmesan to the milk mixture and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed, adding a little more milk if the mixture seems too thick. Stir in the cooked bacon and pasta. The mixture should be very creamy and flavorful. Serve immediately. (If making ahead, transfer to a baking dish or ramekins, then reheat in a 375 degree oven.)
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH BACON
Out of all the baked pasta dishes I make my family likes this one the best. It's also very filling, and fairly inexpensive to make.
Provided by Saj1337
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to box directions and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add flour and stir constantly until smooth.
- Turn heat to medium and add milk stirring constantly until thick. (About 10 minutes).
- Add hot sauce. Stir until mixed in evenly.
- Add pasta, bacon and cheese. Mix until cheese melts, bacon is mixed in, and pasta is evenly coated.
- Pour macaroni and cheese into a 9x13 baking dish and top according to taste.
- Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. (If using parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs take it out when the top looks lightly browned. If using cheddar cheese topping take out when top becomes darkened, but not burnt.).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 921.1, Fat 61.3, SaturatedFat 30.7, Cholesterol 145.8, Sodium 1021, Carbohydrate 57.9, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 1.9, Protein 33.5
CHEDDAR-BACON MAC AND CHEESE
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
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
BACON-BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
Take normal mac and cheese to the next level with steamed broccoli, crispy bacon and Gouda and cheddar cheeses.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time. Meanwhile, cook broccoli as directed on package.
- In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings. Cook shallots in bacon drippings over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until mixture boils and thickens.
- Remove from heat. Add 2 cups of the Cheddar cheese and the Gouda cheese; stir until melted. Stir in cooked macaroni and broccoli and crumbled bacon. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle with crushed crackers and remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered 15 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 650, Carbohydrate 61 g, Fat 1/2, Fiber 5 g, Protein 33 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1470 mg
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheddar cheese. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your mac and cheese. Look for a sharp cheddar that is aged for at least 6 months.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the mac and cheese.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce in mac and cheese. It helps to create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Use milk and cream. Milk and cream add richness and flavor to the mac and cheese. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even skim milk. If you are using low-fat milk, you may want to add a little extra butter or cheese to compensate for the lack of fat.
- Add some extras. Feel free to add other ingredients to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, diced ham, or chopped vegetables. You can also top it with bread crumbs or grated Parmesan cheese before baking.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make the best mac and cheese that you have ever tasted.
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