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Creamy Mac and Cheese with Bacon

creamy mac and cheese with bacon - featured image
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A quick and easy comfort food recipe combining creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and elbow macaroni for a rich and indulgent meal perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) elbow macaroni
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk
  • 2 cups (225 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (115 grams) shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or chives

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside.
  2. Place bacon slices in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 2 minutes until bubbling and slightly golden, avoiding browning.
  4. Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly to keep sauce smooth. Add garlic powder and onion powder. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Add more milk if too thick.
  5. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheese until melted and silky. Stir in reserved bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce and fold gently to coat. Fold in crumbled bacon, reserving some for garnish.
  7. Spoon into bowls, sprinkle with remaining bacon and optional fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

Notes

Start bacon in a cold pan and cook over medium heat slowly to render fat evenly and prevent burning. Whisk constantly when adding milk to the roux to avoid lumps. Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. If sauce thickens too much before serving, gently warm with a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, bacon, comfort food, creamy, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, quick recipe

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/creamy-mac-and-cheese-with-bacon-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-comfort-food-bliss/