Best 8 Macaroni And Cheese With Bacon And Onions Recipes

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Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our collection of macaroni and cheese recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From the irresistible combination of bacon and onions to the creamy richness of three cheeses, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings. Whether you prefer a traditional baked macaroni and cheese or a quick and easy skillet version, we have something for every taste and occasion. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey that will leave you feeling warm, cozy, and utterly satisfied.

Here are our top 8 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.

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



Baked Mac and Cheese image

This Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is totally gourmet with the addition of crispy bacon and panko bread crumb topping. It will outshine any mac and cheese you've tasted!

Provided by Lauren Allen

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/2 pound elbow macaroni ((about 1 1/2 cups))
6 slices bacon
2 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup half and half
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste (, or bouillon powder)
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt (, or more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (, or more to taste)
2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese (*)
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs (, or regular breadcrumbs)
1 Tablespoon butter (, melted)
1/2 Tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

  • Boil pasta according to package instructions, just until al dente. Don't overcook! Strain (don't rinse) and set aside.
  • Shred cheese and set aside to allow to come to room temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 8x8 baking dish.
  • Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Remove some, but not all of the grease from the pan and chop/crumble into pieces.
  • Make Cheese Sauce: Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and then whisk in flour. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in milk. Add the cornstarch to the half and half and whisk until smooth. Gradually add it to skillet followed by mustard, chicken bullion, onion powder, garlic, powder, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook sauce, stirring well, for a few more minutes, just until it begins to slightly thicken. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Taste and add additional seasonings, if needed.
  • Add bacon (reserve a handful to top at the end), and cooked pasta and toss to evenly coat in sauce. Pour mixture into 8x8'' baking dish. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
  • Breadcrumb topping: Add panko, melted butter and olive oil to a skillet (or the saucepan used to cook the pasta). Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the crumbs are golden brown. Evenly sprinkle over the mac cheese. Add remaining bacon crumbles on top.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 478 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Cholesterol 56 mg, Sodium 626 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 serving

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.

BACON AND CARAMELIZED ONION MAC AND CHEESE



Bacon and Caramelized Onion Mac and Cheese image

A hearty casserole for dinner! Enjoy this cheesy bacon and pasta dish that's topped with Progresso™ bread crumbs.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h10m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 large sweet onions, sliced (4 cups)
1 package (16 oz) uncooked penne rigate pasta
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cups fat-free (skim) milk
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)
3 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
1/2 cup Progresso™ panko crispy bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Spray 12-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add onions to skillet; cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring every 3 to 4 minutes, until tender and starting to brown. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 35 to 40 minutes longer, stirring every 5 minutes, until onions are deep golden brown; set aside.
  • Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on package except omit salt. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. Pour pasta into baking dish; keep warm.
  • While pasta is cooking, make cheese sauce. In 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and mustard with wire whisk. Cook about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in caramelized onions and all remaining cheese sauce ingredients.
  • Heat oven to 400°F. Pour cheese sauce over pasta in baking dish. Sprinkle with topping ingredients. Bake uncovered 10 minutes or until heated through (topping will not be brown).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 serving, Sodium 210 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 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.

BACON-PEPPER MAC AND CHEESE



Bacon-Pepper Mac and Cheese image

Enjoy this cheesy pasta casserole made using bacon, Gold Medal® flour and Progresso® bread crumbs - perfect for dinner.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 cups uncooked penne pasta (10 oz)
1/3 cup butter
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 1/4 cups milk
10 slices packaged precooked bacon (from 2.1-oz package), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
4 oz Muenster cheese, shredded (1 cup)
2 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the butter in small bowl. Stir bell pepper and onions into butter in saucepan. Increase heat to medium; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and mustard. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Increase heat to medium-high. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens, about 5 minutes. Gently stir in bacon and pasta.
  • Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Pour into casserole. Stir bread crumbs into melted butter in small bowl. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
  • Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1010, Carbohydrate 91 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 5 g, Protein 45 g, SaturatedFat 29 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1790 mg, Sugar 10 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g

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

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

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients will make your macaroni and cheese taste better. Look for a good quality cheddar cheese and fresh bacon.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: This means that the macaroni should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked macaroni will be mushy.
  • Make a creamy cheese sauce: The cheese sauce is the key to a good macaroni and cheese. Use a combination of different cheeses to create a rich and flavorful sauce.
  • Add some crispy bacon: Bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor to macaroni and cheese. Cook the bacon until it is crispy and then crumble it over the macaroni and cheese.
  • Top with breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs add a nice crunchy texture to macaroni and cheese. You can use panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs.
  • Bake until golden brown: Bake the macaroni and cheese in a preheated oven until it is golden brown and bubbly. This will help to create a nice crust on top.

Conclusion:

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. Whether you like your macaroni and cheese simple or loaded with toppings, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give macaroni and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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