Bacon Mac and Cheese
Bacon mac and cheese takes things to the next level with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a rich, velvety cheese sauce.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 1108kcal
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bacon, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 8 ounce medium pasta shells
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 16 ounce sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounce gouda cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon bbq rub seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Pasta
- Cook pasta according to directions for al dente. Drain. Set aside.
Bacon
- Preheat a large frying pan and cook bacon until crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Remove bacon grease, reserving 1 tablespoon.
Caramelized Onions
- Add the diced onions to the pan, with the reserved grease, and cook over medium heat until they begin to brown, stirring frequently.
- Once browned, turn flame to low and add sugar.
- Coat onions in sugar and cover with a lid, stirring occasionally, or until onions have caramelized, about 10-15 minutes.
Cheese Sauce
- In a large saucepan add the butter and flour.
- Cook over medium low heat, for about 3 minutes or until the mixture has started to turn pale golden yellow.
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream until smooth.
- Add your bbq seasoning and pepper, and turn heat to low. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
- Start adding cheeses in 1⁄3 increments, whisking thoroughly until the cheese has fully melted.
- Repeat with remaining cheese, reserving 1 cup for the top of the macaroni and cheese.
- Remove from heat and fold in sour cream.
- Add bacon, caramelized onions, and noodles to the pot and stir to combine.
- Pour contents into an 8x8 baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and cook for 30 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and browned on the top.
Notes
Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta. It will continue cooking in the oven.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest sauce.
- Stir the cheese in gradually for the best melting.
- Let it sit for a few minutes before serving to thicken.
Nutritional values are approximate.
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.
Nutrition
Calories: 1108kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 78g | Saturated Fat: 41g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 241mg | Sodium: 1925mg | Potassium: 636mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1826IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 1013mg | Iron: 2mg