Gourmet Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
This creamy, cheesy, gourmet baked mac and cheese with bacon will outshine any mac and cheese you've tasted! It is "restaurant-quality" AMAZING, and it couldn't be simpler to make.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Total Time55 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 485kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound elbow macaroni (or other bite size pasta)
- 6 slices Sugardale Hickory Smoked Bacons
- 1 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
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
- 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Crumb topping:
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 Tablespoon butter , melted
- 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, just until al dente. Don’t overcook! Strain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- 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.
- Add 1 tablespoons 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 for a few more minutes, just until it begins to slightly thicken. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese.
- Crumble/chop the bacon and add most of it to the pan, reserving a little for topping later. Add cooked pasta and toss to evenly combine.
- Pour mixture into 8x8’’ baking dish. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
- Add panko, melted butter and olive oil to a skillet (or, I use the pan the pasta was cooked in, just to use less dishes). Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until crumbs are golden brown.
- Evenly sprinkle them over mac cheese. Add remaining bacon crumbles on top.
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Don't miss tips for this recipe in the post above.
Sauce adapted from Carlsbad Cravings
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 633mg | Potassium: 292mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 367mg | Iron: 1.2mg