Baked Mac And Cheese With Bacon

Baked Mac And Cheese With Bacon

Try creamy baked mac and cheese with bacon and ranch for a zesty, smoky twist on the classic. The top gets extra crispy and golden, making it an easy winner for weeknight or game day dinners.

Course dinner, Main, Main Course, Main dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 388kcal

Author Jessy Freimann

Equipment

Ingredients

8 slices bacon fried until crisp and then crumbled
2 Tablespoons salted butter
2 Tablespoons flour
2 ½ cups whole milk
2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning
1 ¼ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded and divided
¾ cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
1 ½ cups elbow macaroni cooked per package directions for al dente and drained
¼ cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a medium size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Once fully melted, add flour and whisk to make a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking often.
Whisk in milk and ranch seasoning.
Cook whisking continuously until it thickens slightly, around 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and whisk in ¾ cup cheddar cheese and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and whisk until fully melted and combined.
Add the cheese mixture to the macaroni and add ⅔ crumbled bacon. Stir until well combined and pour into a 9" x 9" pan.
Top with remaining cheese and panko bread crumbs. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the top is crispy and the edges are bubbling.
Cool for 5 minutes, sprinkle with remaining bacon and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Don’t rush the sauce. Medium heat and frequent stirring help keep it smooth and creamy without scalding the milk.
Shred your own cheese if you have the time. It melts better and gives you a richer texture overall.
Cook the pasta just to al dente. It will finish cooking in the oven, so slightly firm pasta works best.
It may look like there’s too much sauce at first, but don’t worry, the pasta absorbs some of it as it bakes without drying out.
This recipe is written for a crispy top. If you prefer a softer, mellower finish, wait to add the breadcrumbs and bacon until about 5 minutes before the baking time is up.
Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and crumble the bacon, boil and drain the pasta, shred the cheese, and measure out the seasonings.
Leftovers and storage- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Nutrition