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Home » One Pot Meals » Bacon Mac and Cheese

Published: August 21, 2019 Last Modified: November 30, 2020 By Sara 41 Comments

Bacon Mac and Cheese

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Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe | One Pot Macaroni and Cheese #macandcheese #cheese #bacon #onepot #dinner #dinneratthezoo

This bacon mac and cheese is a one pot dish featuring pasta in a creamy cheese sauce with plenty of bacon. An easy dinner option that’s packed with smoky bacon flavor!

Macaroni and cheese is always a big hit in my house, especially slow cooker mac and cheese, broccoli mac and cheese and this delectable bacon version.

Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe | One Pot Macaroni and Cheese #macandcheese #cheese #bacon #onepot #dinner #dinneratthezoo Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe | One Pot Macaroni and Cheese #macandcheese #cheese #bacon #onepot #dinner #dinneratthezoo

Bacon mac and cheese in a skillet, garnished with chopped parsley.

Macaroni and cheese is always a great dish, but when you add bacon to the mix, it elevates this classic to something really special. This bacon mac and cheese is so simple to make, and it only uses one pan which is always a good thing!

How do you make bacon mac and cheese?

For bacon mac and cheese, you first want to cut bacon into small squares and cook it in a pan. Some of the bacon fat gets mixed with flour, milk and water to make a sauce, and the pasta simmers in the sauce until tender. Add a generous amount of cheddar cheese, and stir in the crispy bacon. Add more bacon for garnish, along with a sprinkle of parsley, then serve and enjoy.

Dry pasta in milk with seasonings.

Tips for bacon mac and cheese

  • I use corkscrew pasta in this recipe, it’s sometimes called cavatappi or cellentani. These noodles are heartier than standard elbow macaroni. That being said, if you want to use elbow macaroni or a different type of short pasta, that will also work well.
  • You should use freshly grated cheddar cheese for this recipe. The bagged pre-shredded cheddar cheeses are coated in anti-caking agents and just don’t melt as smoothly.
  • I find that whole milk works best for the creamiest sauce, you can also use half and half or low fat milk.
  • You can use pre-cooked bacon to save on prep time. If you go that route, swap out the bacon fat in the recipe for 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
  • I like to garnish my mac and cheese with a little chopped parsley. You can also use green onions or chives, or omit the herbs entirely.

Pasta cooked in milk with shredded cheese on top.

WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE TO USE FOR MACARONI AND CHEESE?

The key to macaroni and cheese is using a cheese that melts well. I like to use cheddar because it melts well, it tastes great and has a nice color. You will want to use a medium or sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. Avoid the extra sharp aged cheeses. Aged cheddars tend to separate or get oily when heated and do not melt well.

Macaroni and cheese with bacon sprinkled on top.

Can you freeze mac and cheese?

You can freeze mac and cheese and it will be good for up to 3 months. Make sure to avoid freezer burn by storing mac and cheese in an airtight container or resealable bag. Thaw the macaroni and cheese in the fridge before you reheat it.

How to reheat mac and cheese

To reheat frozen mac and cheese, place the mac and cheese in a baking dish. Cover the mac and cheese and bake it at 350 degrees F. for 1 hour. Uncover the mac and cheese and let it bake another 10-30 minutes until the mac and cheese is hot and bubbly.

A bowl of bacon mac and cheese topped with chopped parsley.

This bacon mac and cheese combines classic creamy mac and cheese with the savory crunch of bacon to make an unbeatable combination.

More recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
  • Cheeseburger Pie
  • Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders
  • Cheese Bombs with Garlic Butter
Bacon mac and cheese in a skillet, garnished with chopped parsley.
Print Pin
5 from 28 votes

Bacon Mac and Cheese

This bacon mac and cheese is a one pot dish featuring pasta in a creamy cheese sauce with plenty of bacon. An easy dinner option that's packed with smoky bacon flavor!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 508kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces bacon chopped
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 4 cups milk
  • 16 ounces uncooked short pasta such as cavatappi or elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Place the bacon in a large pan over medium high heat. Cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels.
  • Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan; discard the rest of the fat.
  • Add the flour, then whisk until combined, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the water and whisk until smooth and just thickened. 
  • Add the milk and whisk until combined. 
  • Stir in the pasta, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and pepper, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is done.
  • Turn the heat to low, then stir in the cheddar cheese. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth.  If you need to thin the sauce, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
  • Stir in half of the bacon.
  • Sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top, along with the parsley. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 376mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 995IU | Calcium: 497mg | Iron: 1.7mg
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Filed Under: Dinner, One Pot Meals, Pasta

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    Comments

    1. Vanessa O says

      November 16, 2022 at 2:01 pm

      Making this tonight! Is it good as left over ?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 17, 2022 at 8:12 am

        The pasta will absorb the sauce as it sits, so when you reheat it, you may want to add a little milk to thin out the consistency!

        Reply
    2. Emily says

      October 19, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! Very very good!! Definitely going in the recipe binder to make again 🙂 I halved the recipe and it turned out beautifully. Highly recommend!

      Reply
    3. Christine L says

      September 9, 2022 at 4:01 am

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe for my picky daughter. She loves it and wants it for dinner all the time. I omit the paprika and just use extra garlic and onion powder. I also use a little extra bacon liquid to give it more flavor. I have baked mac and cheese and failed miserably! This recipe is easy for a weekday dinner.

      Reply
    4. Anya says

      June 4, 2022 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      So easy to make and so delicious. But calories, is is 508 calories pr 100 g or pr serving and how much is a serving?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        June 8, 2022 at 7:07 am

        It’s 1 1/2 cups per serving!

        Reply
    5. Matthew says

      April 10, 2022 at 6:47 am

      5 stars
      Mmmm!!! This was SOOO good. Definitely going to keep the recipe. I was a little hesitant at first but it all came together. It was a big hit at our dinner!! Thx 😊

      Reply
    6. Lexie says

      December 11, 2021 at 10:29 pm

      5 stars
      I did everything except added the mixture to a dish and topped with seasoned breadcrumbs to broil in the oven to crisp!

      OMG amazing, thank you so much!

      Reply
    7. Rachael Ann says

      April 25, 2021 at 6:33 pm

      aside from 2 or 3 dishes, I truly don’t know my way around the kitchen, aka, I don’t know how to cook. 🙂
      my 18 year old son sent me this recipe…he is a Mac and Cheese connoisseur.
      after reading the recipe, i felt confident that I’d be able to make it. we followed the directions fully. I had such a hard time believing you add uncooked pasta . I mean, that doesn’t even seem correct…but it is!!
      this was such an easy recipe to follow, and even more delicious than it looks. (It was sooo good, I felt compelled to write my very first recipe review)
      even my husband loved it!
      so, thank you, from the one who cooked instant pudding and made a Thanksgiving chicken dinner instead of turkey because the label said oven stuffer and I didn’t know the difference. 🙂

      Reply
    8. Lanno says

      April 2, 2021 at 10:27 pm

      5 stars
      Yep! Other than a little more seasoning I followed the recipe exactly and it’s a winner.

      Reply
    9. Carol says

      February 15, 2021 at 4:33 pm

      5 stars
      The addition of bacon was so good! Love this recipe!

      Reply
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