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Craving comfort food with a twist? This Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole is your answer. Imagine creamy cheddar cheese sauce enveloping tender elbow macaroni, with crispy bacon bits adding a smoky crunch. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks, this dish is a crowd-pleaser. Let's dive into this cheesy, bacon-filled delight!
Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, and cook until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
What You Will Need
Read more: Mac and Cheese Casserole Recipe
What you will need to make bacon mac and cheese casserole
Elbow macaroni: Provides the classic pasta base, holding the cheese sauce perfectly, creating a comforting and familiar texture in every bite.
Cooked and crumbled bacon: Adds a smoky, savory flavor and a delightful crunch, elevating the dish to a new level of deliciousness.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts smoothly into the sauce, delivering a rich, creamy texture and sharp flavor that defines mac and cheese.
Milk: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy cheese sauce, helping to blend the flavors and achieve the perfect consistency.
Butter: Adds richness and depth to the sauce, ensuring a velvety texture and enhancing the overall flavor.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the cheese sauce, giving it a hearty consistency that clings to the pasta beautifully.
Tools and Instruments Required
What tools/instruments will be needed to make Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole Recipe
- Large pot: Needed to cook the macaroni and prepare the cheese sauce.
- Baking dish: Used to bake the casserole until bubbly and golden.
- Whisk: Essential for mixing flour and milk smoothly into the sauce.
- Measuring cups: Ensures accurate amounts of milk, flour, and cheese.
- Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the macaroni and cheese sauce together.
Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole
Ingredients:
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz Elbow macaroni
- 8 slices Bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups Milk
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, and cook until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
Notes:
Read more: Velveeta Mac and Cheese Casserole Recipe
Nutrition value:
Keywords:
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Make Ahead Instructions
- Prepare the bacon mac and cheese casserole as directed, but do not bake.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- When ready to bake, remove from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Bake as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if needed.
Freezing Instructions
- Prepare the casserole as directed, but do not bake.
- Let it cool completely.
- Wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil.
- Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Remove from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if needed.
Adding a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese sauce can enhance the flavor, giving the Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole a subtle, warm undertone.
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