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Creamy Mac and Cheese With Bacon in a bowl that is sitting on a plate.

Just wanted to share this recipe with you real quick before I head out the door. This is a perfect weeknight dinner idea that you can have ready in a snap. I first saw this recipe on Chew Out Loud, {Go check out Amy’s blog – it’s so yummy! } and made a beeline to the fridge to see if I had the ingredients to make it. This is the kind of dinner my boys would eat EVERY SINGLE NIGHT if I would let them. Cheese + Pasta + Bacon = Three Very Happy Little Boys!

But I have to admit, it’s not just for them. I had to really stop myself from refilling my own bowl over and over. Little Boy #1 was calling dibs on leftovers for breakfast the next morning before we were even done with dinner! He’s getting to the age where I have to feed him constantly. Last time we were at Subway he ate a 12 inch club and a bag of chips with no problem. He’s 8 years old! No more kid’s menu for him. Can’t imagine when all three boys are eating that way. Yikes!

Creamy Mac and Cheese With Bacon in a bowl, with a fork full of the mac and cheese over the bowl.

OH MAN, that creamy sauce and salty bacon are calling my name right now! Hope you get the chance to make this one… Do it for me, okay? Have a lovely day!

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Creamy Mac and Cheese With Bacon

Author: Julie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

The creamiest cheese sauce plus salty bits of bacon make this dish irresistible!

Ingredients

Scale

16 ounces celletani pasta
5 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
8 ounces monterey jack cheese, shredded
4 ounces swiss cheese, shredded
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon salt to the water, and cook pasta according to directions on the box.
Measure the milk into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 2 minutes.
In the meantime, melt 5 tablespoons butter over medium high heat. Whisk in the flour, and whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes.
Add the warm milk, and whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to medium, and bring to a gentle simmer stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes. When it has slightly thickened add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard.
Add the cheese and stir until smooth.
When the pasta is cooked, drain the water, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Add the cheese sauce to the pasta, and add pasta water as needed to thin out the sauce if it is too thick. Sauce will thicken a bit as it cools.
Top with bacon, additional black pepper, and parsley.

Notes

Helpful Tips: Any kind of cheese that melts smoothly is okay to use in this recipe. Great time to clean out the cheese drawer! Don’t use pre shredded cheese. Your mac and cheese won’t be as smooth. Serve immediately. The sauce will thicken up as it sits, so it tastes best right away. Reserve some pasta water to add the the mac and cheese if your sauce does become to thick. Recipe adapted from Chew Out Loud.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 571
Sugar: 7.1g
Sodium: 916mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 12.1g
Trans Fat: 0.4g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 1.6g
Protein: 27g
Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: creamy mac and cheese with bacon, mac and cheese, bacon, pasta