Bacon Mac & Cheese

11 INGREDIENTS • 12 STEPS • 30MINS

Bacon Mac & Cheese

It’s an over-the-top baked macaroni that is perfect to indulge in this holiday. Stuffed with a variety of cheeses whipped into a béchamel, it has crunchy bacon layered throughout the dish and has a golden panko topping, with even more bacon and cheese, of course!
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It’s an over-the-top baked macaroni that is perfect to indulge in this holiday. Stuffed with a variety of cheeses whipped into a béchamel, it has crunchy bacon layered throughout the dish and has a golden panko topping, with even more bacon and cheese, of course!
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The Squishy Monster
From cupcakes to traditional Korean food and everything in between.
http://thesquishymonster.com/

30MINS

Total Time

Ingredients

Servings
4
us / metric
Penne Pasta
6 oz
Penne Pasta
Bacon
6 slices
Bacon
Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
4 Tbsp
Unbleached All Purpose Flour
Half and Half
4 cups
Warm Half and Half
Ground Nutmeg
1/2 tsp
Ground Nutmeg, freshly grated
Unsalted Butter
2 Tbsp
Unsalted Butter
Salt
to taste
Salt
Ground Black Pepper
to taste
Ground Black Pepper
Cheese
5 2/3 cups
Cheese, grated
Panko Breadcrumbs
to taste
Panko Breadcrumbs
Egg
1
Egg

Nutrition Per Serving

VIEW ALL
Calories
1002
Fat
70.9 g
Protein
42.4 g
Carbs
52.2 g
Love This Recipe?
author_avatar
The Squishy Monster
From cupcakes to traditional Korean food and everything in between.
http://thesquishymonster.com/

Cooking Instructions

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step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
step 2
In a skillet, cook the Bacon (6 slices). When crispy, drain on a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Reserve 4 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Cook the Penne Pasta (6 oz) in salted water according to package's instructions. Reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta water.
step 2 In a skillet, cook the Bacon (6 slices). When crispy, drain on a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Reserve 4 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Cook the Penne Pasta (6 oz) in salted water according to package's instructions. Reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta water.
step 3
In the same skillet, use the reserved bacon grease and sprinkle in Unbleached All Purpose Flour (4 Tbsp) Whisk together for 3-5 minutes. The fat will absorb the flour to create a roux. Cooking will cook off the raw flour flavor.
step 3 In the same skillet, use the reserved bacon grease and sprinkle in Unbleached All Purpose Flour (4 Tbsp) Whisk together for 3-5 minutes. The fat will absorb the flour to create a roux. Cooking will cook off the raw flour flavor.
step 4
When the roux turns sandy beige, pour in the Half and Half (4 cups). Whisk thoroughly to prevent any lumps.
step 4 When the roux turns sandy beige, pour in the Half and Half (4 cups). Whisk thoroughly to prevent any lumps.
step 5
Keep whisking and add Ground Nutmeg (1/2 tsp), Salt (to taste), Ground Black Pepper (to taste), and Unsalted Butter (2 Tbsp).
step 5 Keep whisking and add Ground Nutmeg (1/2 tsp), Salt (to taste), Ground Black Pepper (to taste), and Unsalted Butter (2 Tbsp).
step 6
Take the skillet off the heat and stir in the Cheese (5 2/3 cups), pasta water, and Egg (1).
step 6 Take the skillet off the heat and stir in the Cheese (5 2/3 cups), pasta water, and Egg (1).
step 7
Toss the cooked pasta in the cheese mixture.
step 7 Toss the cooked pasta in the cheese mixture.
step 8
In a buttered dish, layer in pasta with crumbled bacon. Reserve some of the crumbled bacon for topping.
step 8 In a buttered dish, layer in pasta with crumbled bacon. Reserve some of the crumbled bacon for topping.
step 9
Top with Panko Breadcrumbs (to taste) extra bacon and cheese.
step 9 Top with Panko Breadcrumbs (to taste) extra bacon and cheese.
step 10
Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes. Cover with tin foil for half the baking time.
step 10 Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes. Cover with tin foil for half the baking time.
step 11
Broil for about 5 minutes to blister the cheese.
step 12
Serve and enjoy!
step 12 Serve and enjoy!

Tags

American
4th of July
Budget-Friendly
Comfort Food
Lunch
Christmas
Shellfish-Free
Dinner
Pork
Game Day
Pasta
Labor Day
Memorial Day
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