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Crispy Loaded Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole

crispy loaded bacon mac and cheese casserole - featured image
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A comforting casserole featuring creamy, cheesy macaroni with smoky bacon and a crispy breadcrumb topping, perfect for family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) elbow macaroni pasta
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (720 ml) warm whole milk
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyère cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 cup (100 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup (45 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon slices until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve a tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes until it forms a blonde paste but doesn’t brown.
  5. Slowly pour in warm whole milk, whisking continuously to keep the sauce smooth. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 6-8 minutes.
  6. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until melted and silky. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Fold the drained macaroni and chopped bacon into the cheese sauce until every noodle is coated.
  8. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese. Add a tablespoon of melted butter for extra richness if desired.
  9. Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top.
  10. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese sauce is bubbling around the edges.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

If topping browns too quickly, tent casserole loosely with foil halfway through baking. Let casserole rest after baking to help cheese sauce set for cleaner serving. Use gluten-free pasta and flour for gluten-free version. Substitute dairy-free milk and cheese for dairy-free version. Turkey or plant-based bacon can be used as alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, bacon, casserole, comfort food, crispy topping, cheesy, family dinner

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/crispy-loaded-bacon-mac-and-cheese-casserole-easy-recipe-for-ultimate-comfort-food/