Creamy Bacon Mac-n-Cheese

A. Weaver || August 4, 2022

There is nothing like a huge pan of bubbling mac-n-cheese to make a dish feel more like comfort. Mac-n-cheese is one of those recipes that can adapt and take on so many different variations. From Low Country crab mac-n-cheese to its vegan form, Mac-n-cheese is homemade comfort in one dish. My Creamy Bacon Mac-n-Cheese is decadent and rich, and is a wonderful way to feed a large group of friends. 

Creamy Bacon Mac-n-Cheese

Recipe makes 8 servings. Total time 1 hour 30 minutes (Prep: 30 minutes/ Cook: 1 hour). 

Special Cookware: Cast iron skillet

Ingredients 

• 16 oz (1 box) of any tubular pasta
• 1/2 lb hardwood smoked bacon
• 4 cups whole milk
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tbs unsalted butted
• 1 tbs garlic salt
• 1/4 tbs pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp stoneground mustard
• 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine water and salt in a large pot and bring to a boil. Cook pasta 1 minute shy of al dente according to the instructions. (Do not forget to salt the water).
3. As the pasta is cooking, slice bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and fry in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Reserve the bacon fat in the pan.
4. Turn the heat down to a medium-low heat. To the pan add 3 tbs of unsalted butter, stoneground mustard, and Dijon mustard. Whisk together until the butter is fully melted. 
5. Whisk in all-purpose flour with the melted butter and bacon fat for 1 minute.
6. Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Whisk in garlic salt, pepper, and paprika.
7. Gradually whisk in the cheddar cheese until thoroughly melted. Once melted, turn off your stovetop burner (the mixture will sustain it's heat)
8. Combine strained pasta and bacon to the cheese mixture and mix until the pasta is completely coated.
9. In a separate pan combine 3 tbs of unsalted butter and panko breadcrumbs over medium heat. Toast the panko breadcrumbs until golden brown. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs on the top of the mac-n-cheese.
10. Place the mac-n-cheese in the oven and let bake for 30-45 minutes or until the mac-n-cheese is golden brown on the top and edges of the pan.

Hūlō

A. Weaver

Photos by A. Weaver

I want to dedicate this post to the CSU, Chico Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry for supplying most of the items in this dish.

Please support the CSU, Chico Wildcat Food Pantry at www.csuchico.edu/basic-needs/pantry