Bacon Baked Macaroni & Cheese

5 from 6 votes

Bacon Mac and Cheese is made with tender pasta in a creamy, zesty cheese sauce that's full of smoky bacon, topped with crispy breadcrumbs.

Prep Time10

Cook Time50

Total Time1

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

10 slices of bacon fried until crisp, then crumbled or chopped
3 1/2 tablespoons butter
3 1/2 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons Ranch mix
1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni cooked as per package directions to al dente and drained
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
fresh minced parsley, for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 400℉. Grease a 2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in flour to make a roux. Let the roux cook for 1-2 minutes until golden, whisking often.
Add milk and ranch seasoning.
Whisk the ingredients continuously until it thickens slightly, around 10 minutes.
Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and whisk until fully combined.
Add the cheese mixture to the macaroni and crumble 6 pieces of the bacon in.
Stir until well combined and pour into a 9" x 9" pan.
Pour into a well greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese, panko bread crumbs and the remaining bacon.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is crispy and the edges are bubbling.
Garnish with freshly minced parsley and serve hot.

This is best served piping hot and can be doubled in a 9x13 pan to feed a crowd.

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