Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Bacon
Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Bacon
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk, whole milk recommended
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Bacon Topping
- 8 ounces thick-cut bacon
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the macaroni cooks, place the thick-cut bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy. Remove bacon, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Remove from heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the crumbled bacon before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Bacon
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk, whole milk recommended
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Bacon Topping
- 8 ounces thick-cut bacon
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the macaroni cooks, place the thick-cut bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy. Remove bacon, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Remove from heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the crumbled bacon before serving.
⏱️ 5 min