Best 8 Macaroni And Cheese With Bacon Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Indulge in a Creamy, Comforting Journey with Our Macaroni and Cheese Recipes**

When the craving for comfort food strikes, nothing beats a heaping plate of macaroni and cheese. This classic dish has been a beloved favorite for generations, offering a delightful fusion of creamy cheese sauce and tender pasta. In this article, we present a culinary adventure with four enticing macaroni and cheese recipes, each bursting with unique flavors and textures. From the classic stovetop version to baked variations, and even a one-pot option, we've got something to satisfy every palate. Whether you prefer a rich and gooey texture, a crispy golden crust, or a quick and easy weeknight meal, our recipes will guide you towards macaroni and cheese perfection. So, gather your ingredients, let your taste buds dance, and embark on a culinary journey that promises satisfaction and joy with every bite.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

KILLER MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON



Killer Mac and Cheese with Bacon image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Extra-virgin olive oil
6 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, cut into 1/4 inch dice
Kosher salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart whole milk, plus more as needed
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
Tabasco or other hot sauce
1 pound medium shells or other short pasta
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
2 cups grated fontina cheese (about 8 ounces)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)

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.)

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.

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH BACON



Macaroni and Cheese With Bacon image

This is an easy baked macaroni and cheese with bacon and a breadcrumb topping. Make this delicious bacon macaroni and cheese recipe for your family.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Dinner     Entree     Side Dish     Lunch     Pasta

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 strips bacon
8 ounces elbow macaroni (2 cups dry)
5 tablespoons butter (divided)
4 green onions (thinly sliced)
Dash garlic powder
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
Kosher salt (to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces, divided)
1 cup soft bread crumbs

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

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.

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND BACON



Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Bacon image

Very intense, rich dish due to the sharpness of the cheeses melded with spicy, creamy, and tangy flavors.

Provided by lalala71

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Pork

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
½ cup sour cream
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
4 cups grated Asiago cheese
4 cups grated Vermont Cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, sliced thin
4 cloves garlic, minced
⅛ teaspoon brown sugar
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
½ teaspoon ground mustard
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add macaroni and cook for 8 minutes (noodles will still be slightly hard). Drain noodles and transfer to a large bowl with 1/4 cup of butter and toss to coat. Whisk together the sour cream, egg, and cream cheese; add to the pasta and mix well. Stir in 3 cups of grated Asiago and 3 cups of grated Cheddar cheese, reserving the remaining 2 cups of cheese for the topping.
  • Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate and chop into small pieces.
  • Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Stir 2 tablespoons butter, the onion, and garlic into the bacon drippings in the pan and cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the brown sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes until the onions are very soft and golden brown. Mix the cooked bacon, parsley, and panko breadcrumbs into the onions, transfer mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
  • Return the skillet to the heat and melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour, and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook and stir until the mixture is smooth and thickened. Stir in the ground mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Remove sauce from heat and let cool for five minutes.
  • Pour the sauce over the macaroni mixture, stirring well. Transfer to a greased 9x13 inch pan and sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups of Cheddar cheese. Top cheese with the onion breadcrumb mixture.
  • Bake in preheated oven until bubbling, hot and golden brown on top, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 941.8 calories, Carbohydrate 56.6 g, Cholesterol 197 mg, Fat 59.5 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 36.3 g, Sodium 1475.4 mg, Sugar 7.2 g

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

BACON AND MACARONI



Bacon and Macaroni image

I've prepared this dish on the stovetop and in the microwave...either way, it's a down-home dinner that my husband can't resist. The blend of bacon and cheese is unbeatable. - Stephanie Savage, Rushville, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

14 bacon strips, diced
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, divided
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook bacon; drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, sugar, garlic powder and pepper to drippings; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir in macaroni; heat through, stirring occasionally. Combine cheese and remaining parsley; sprinkle over casserole. , Microwave Directions: In a 2-qt. microwave-safe baking dish, heat bacon on high for 2-1/2 minutes; discard fat. Microwave on high 2-3 minutes more or until bacon is crisp. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings; stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, sugar, garlic powder and pepper. , Cover and cook on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in macaroni; cover and cook on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Combine cheese and remaining parsley; sprinkle over casserole.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 307 calories, Fat 24g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 597mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

BACON MACARONI AND CHEESE



Bacon Macaroni and Cheese image

Crisp bacon and Gouda instantly infuse the classic comfort-food dish with rich, smoky flavor. The best part? Everything is made in one pot. Try our four delicious variations next: Classic Mac, Mushroom-Fontina Mac, Jalapeno Mac, and Primavera Mac.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 slices bacon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
6 cups 2-percent milk
3/4 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups grated Gouda
1 cup grated Gruyere
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet and crumble (discard bacon fat).
  • Heat broiler. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Remove 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
  • Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Very gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add macaroni and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining cheese and the bacon and mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 673 g, Fat 36 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 34 g, SaturatedFat 20 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for sharp cheddar cheese, fresh bacon, and high-quality pasta.
  • Cook the bacon until it is crispy, but not overcooked. This will give the macaroni and cheese a smoky flavor.
  • Use a combination of cheeses for a more complex flavor. Sharp cheddar is a classic, but you can also add Parmesan, Gruyère, or fontina.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. It should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Make sure the cheese sauce is thick and creamy. If it is too thin, add more cheese or cornstarch.
  • Top the macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for a crispy topping.
  • Serve the macaroni and cheese immediately, while it is hot and bubbly.

Conclusion:

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, but there are a few tips and tricks that can help you make the best macaroni and cheese possible. By following the tips in this article, you can create a delicious and creamy macaroni and cheese that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Related Topics