Description
Indulge in a mouthwatering bowl of creamy bacon mac and cheese, featuring crispy bacon, velvety cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, caramelized
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Render the bacon: In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it turns crispy and golden brown. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain off excess fat.
- Sauté onions: In the same skillet, add the caramelized onions and cook for another minute, allowing their sweetness to bloom alongside the essence of bacon.
- Create the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour, cooking for about one minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens into a luscious sauce.
- Melt the cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Combine the pasta and sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked macaroni, crispy bacon, and the cheese sauce. Toss it together until well blended, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional baking: If you crave a crispy topping, transfer the mac and cheese to an oven-safe baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and broil on high until golden brown.
- Serve warm: Dish out your creamy bacon mac and cheese into bowls, savor the deliciousness immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
For extra creaminess, consider adding cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream to the cheese sauce. Feel free to customize with different cheese varieties or add veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg