Ultimate Gourmet Bacon Mac and Cheese
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Ultimate Gourmet Bacon Mac and Cheese, an elevated version of the classic dish. In this recipe, crispy bacon is infused throughout a creamy cheese sauce made with a decadent blend of cheddar, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses. Enhanced with a hint of Dijon mustard and a kick of Tabasco, this mac and cheese is perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings at home. Whether served straight from the pot or baked to a perfect golden crust, this dish promises to be a star on your dinner table. Enjoy the deliciousness and keep the recipe handy for your next culinary adventure!
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
Drizzle (for cooking)
Bacon
6 slices (cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips)
Unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (for cooking)
Onion
1 (cut in 1/4-inch dice)
Kosher salt
As needed (for seasoning)
Flour
1/2 cup (for thickening sauce)
Whole milk
1 quart (for sauce)
Pasta shells (or other short pasta)
1 lb (for main dish)
Cheddar cheese
2 cups (freshly grated)
Fontina cheese
2 cups (freshly grated)
Parmesan cheese
1 cup (freshly grated)
Dijon mustard
1/4 cup (for flavor)
Tabasco sauce
To taste (for heat)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil and add the sliced bacon. Heat over medium heat and cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until it becomes crisp and brown, about 6-8 minutes. Once done, remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.
2
Next, add unsalted butter and diced onion to the pan with the reserved bacon fat. Season with kosher salt and cook until the onions are soft and aromatic, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid lumps.
3
Gradually whisk in the quart of whole milk while seasoning with more kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer on low for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
4
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells (or your preferred short pasta) and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving a bit of pasta water.
5
Once the cheese sauce has thickened, remove it from heat and stir in the grated cheddar, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and combined. Add in the Dijon mustard and Tabasco sauce, tasting as you go to adjust the heat and flavor to your liking. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water or more milk.
6
Fold the cooked pasta and crispy bacon pieces into the cheese sauce, ensuring that everything is well coated and creamy. Serve the mac and cheese immediately for the creamiest experience, or transfer to a baking dish or individual ramekins. If baking, preheat your oven to 375°F and reheat until bubbly and golden—about 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
29g
Carbs
11g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Gourmet Bacon Mac and Cheese?
It is an elevated version of the classic dish featuring a creamy sauce made with cheddar, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses, infused with crispy bacon, Dijon mustard, and Tabasco.
What types of cheese are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of cheddar, 2 cups of Fontina, and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, all freshly grated.
How much bacon do I need?
You will need 6 slices of bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips.
How should I cook the bacon?
Cook the bacon in a large saucepan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat for 6-8 minutes until crisp and brown.
Should I discard the bacon fat?
No, you should reserve the bacon fat in the pan to cook the onions and butter.
How are the onions prepared?
One onion should be cut into 1/4-inch dice and cooked until soft and aromatic, which takes about 8-10 minutes.
What is used to thicken the cheese sauce?
The sauce is thickened using 1/2 cup of flour stirred into the butter and bacon fat mixture to create a roux.
How much milk is required?
The recipe requires 1 quart of whole milk.
How long should the sauce simmer?
Once the milk is added and brought to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer on low for 8-10 minutes until thickened.
What type of pasta works best?
The recipe recommends 1 lb of pasta shells or any other preferred short pasta.
How long should I cook the pasta?
Cook the pasta in well-salted water for 1 minute less than the package instructions.
Why should I reserve some pasta water?
Reserved pasta water can be used to thin out the cheese sauce if it becomes too thick.
When do I add the cheeses?
Stir in the grated cheeses once the sauce has thickened and been removed from the heat.
What provides the 'kick' in this mac and cheese?
A hint of Dijon mustard and Tabasco sauce added to taste provide the extra flavor and heat.
How much Dijon mustard is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard.
Is the bacon mixed in or added on top?
The crispy bacon pieces are folded directly into the cheese sauce along with the cooked pasta.
Can I bake this dish?
Yes, you can transfer it to a baking dish and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 20g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 29g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content?
Each serving provides 11g of protein.
How much butter is needed?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Is this recipe considered kid-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as kid-friendly, making it great for family gatherings.
What kind of salt should I use?
Kosher salt is recommended for seasoning both the sauce and the pasta water.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients listed in the recipe.
Can I serve it immediately without baking?
Yes, serving it immediately provides the creamiest experience.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include comfort food, cheesy pasta, bacon, kid-friendly, dinner, gourmet, and creamy.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
If you choose to bake the dish, preheat your oven to 375°F.
How do I ensure the sauce is creamy?
By gradually whisking in the milk and stirring in the cheeses off the heat, you ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
What are the dimensions for dicing the onion?
The onion should be cut into a 1/4-inch dice.