Tinis Mac Cheese with Bacon (Print View)

Creamy macaroni layered with crispy bacon and a golden breadcrumb topping for a comforting dish.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
07 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
08 - 1/2 cup Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese, grated
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Bacon Crunch

14 - 8 slices thick-cut bacon
15 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
16 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder

→ Topping

17 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
18 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
19 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
20 - Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Arrange bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with black pepper and garlic powder. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until crispy and deep golden. Let cool slightly, then chop finely. Set aside.
04 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until foamy but not browned.
05 - Slowly whisk in milk and cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes until thickened.
06 - Remove sauce from heat. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyère cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
07 - Fold cooked macaroni into cheese sauce ensuring even coating.
08 - Spread half of the mac and cheese in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the bacon crumble. Add remaining mac and cheese and top with remaining bacon.
09 - In a small bowl, mix panko, melted butter, and optional Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
10 - Bake uncovered for 15 to 18 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The bacon adds a salty, smoky crunch that cuts through the creaminess in the most satisfying way.
  • Three cheeses layered together create a depth of flavor that tastes like you've been cooking all day, but you haven't.
  • It comes together in under an hour and feels impressive enough to serve at gatherings.
02 -
  • Lumpy sauce is almost always the result of temperature shock—add the dairy slowly while whisking, never dump it all at once.
  • Cheese can break if the pan is too hot after you've added it, so always remove from heat first before stirring in the cheese.
03 -
  • Make sure your baking dish is actually greased well, or the bottom layer will stick stubbornly no matter how much you try to scrape it.
  • Let the finished dish rest for 5 minutes before serving—it helps the layers set and makes plating far easier.
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