A super tasty pasta bake made with macaroni, a homemade cheese sauce, crispy bacon bits and crunchy panko crumbs.
Mac and cheese is one of those meals that once you get a craving for it, you have to make it that night! If you're going to spend all day thinking about a meal, you want to make a good one. Enter my next-level Macaroni Cheese and Bacon Bake.
This epic mac n cheese is made with a super tasty, homemade cheese sauce. I've also included rashers of crispy bacon which adds to the crunch and flavour of the dish.
How to make Macaroni Cheese and Bacon Bake:
Heat oven to 180°C fan grill. Grill bacon on a tray in the oven, then remove and finely chop. Cook your pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain, then return to the pot. While the bacon and pasta cook, make the cheese sauce. Place a large saucepan on a low heat and add butter. Stir until melted then add the flour and combine.
Keep stirring for a minute to fry the mixture. Start adding milk slowly, stirring between each addition. Once all the milk is added let it simmer until thick. Take off the heat. Add some grated nutmeg, mustard, pepper, salt and cheese then stir to combine.
Pour sauce over the drained pasta, add chopped bacon and mix together. Season to taste. Place the pasta in a baking dish and sprinkle over panko crumbs and extra cheese. Grill until golden and bubbling then serve immediately.
Are you (or your kids!) big fans of macaroni? Check out my yummy recipes for One pot chicken and pasta as well as Slow cooker Mac n Cheese.
Common questions about Macaroni Cheese and Bacon Bake:
Can this meal be frozen? Yes. Store any leftovers (or double the recipe and freeze one meal) in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost, then heat until piping hot. If you're looking for tips, tricks and ideas on more freezer food, click through to my Freezer Meals Made Easy course page.
What kind of cheese should I use? You could use almost any kind of cheese in this recipe! I used a combination of colby and mozzarella for their big flavour and melting qualities!
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Macaroni Cheese and Bacon Bake
A delicious macaroni and cheese bake with the addition of crispy bacon.
Ingredients
- 4 rashers bacon
- 500g macaroni
- 50g butter
- ⅓ cup flour
- 750ml milk
- Fresh nutmeg
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup grated cheese
- 2 Tbsp panko crumbs
- Extra grated cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to 180°C fan grill. Grill bacon on a tray in the oven, then remove and finely chop.
- Cook pasta according to packet instructions. Drain, then return to the pot.
- While the bacon and pasta cook, make the cheese sauce. Place a large saucepan on a low heat and add butter. Stir until melted then add the flour and combine. Keep stirring for a minute to fry the mixture.
- Start adding milk slowly, stirring between each addition. Once all the milk is added let it simmer until thick.
- Take off the heat. Add some grated nutmeg, mustard, pepper, salt and cheese then stir to combine.
- Pour sauce over the drained pasta, add chopped bacon and mix together. Season to taste.
- Place the pasta in a baking dish and sprinkle over panko crumbs and extra cheese. Grill until golden and bubbling then serve immediately.
Notes
- Feel free to use your favourite pasta. Penne, bowties or spirals would all taste great in this recipe.
- I used a combination of colby and mozzarella. Any cheese would work.
- Bacon could be swapped for ham or leave it out to make it vegetarian.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 452Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 577mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 20g
Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.
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Sandra P says
Delicious Macaroni Cheese… thanks for the recipe.
Michelle Mckay says
Absolutely delicious, great hit with the family, I also added a bit left over chicken as well and it was a great hit ❤️
Thanks again for a great and easy recipe x
VJ cooks says
What a great idea! So pleased to hear you enjoyed it 🙂