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This bacon macaroni and cheese recipe is all done in 1 pan! Rich, melty, and full of bacon with noodles cooked right in the sauce.
Whether it’s a holiday feast or just tonight’s dinner, bacon mac and cheese always makes life better.
But if preparing another pot for the noodles isn’t your vibe, I got you.
This bacon mac and cheese is made entirely in one skillet, leaving your oven open for whatever else you’re making.
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Think you’ve tried all the best macaroni and cheese recipes? There’s always room for more favorites, and our Cracker Barrel and TikTok mac and cheese recipes deserve a spot on your go-to list.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- This bacon macaroni and cheese recipe is a no-boil stovetop dish that saves you clean-up on busy weeknights and keeps the oven free for holiday dishes.
- This bacon mac and cheese starts with a rich, savory broth base, then melts in a shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack blend with garlic and a little secret ingredient for extra flavor.
- This skillet bacon mac and cheese recipe only uses simple ingredients. It’s also a great way to sneak some vegetables into your routine if you have picky eaters!
Ingredients
Macaroni – The best thing about this mac and cheese with bacon is you don’t need to cook the elbow macaroni separately!
Whole milk and chicken broth – They make up the creamy, savory base of our sauce.
Salted butter – Adds a rich mouthfeel to the cheese sauce.
Bacon – For that crispy, salty bite that perfectly contrasts the creamy mac and cheese. Don’t forget to save the bacon fat in the pan!
Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese – Gooey, melty, sharp, and buttery, this combo will give all the flavors and textures you want in the iconic comforting dish.
Garlic – You can also add caramelized onions to the cheddar sauce. Yum.
Ground black pepper and mustard powder – These help make the flavors of this bacon macaroni and cheese recipe really pop.
Ingredient Substitutions For Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe
Macaroni alternatives
Switch up the pasta noodles! Cavatappi, pasta shells, and penne all trap the rich, creamy sauce really well.
Cheese combinations
Combine different cheeses to add extra depth to your bacon macaroni and cheese. Some delicious combinations that lend a more sophisticated flavor include sharp cheddar with American cheese, sharp cheddar with Fontina and Gouda cheese, and sharp cheddar with Parmesan and Pecorino Romano.
Crisp crumb topping
If you love a crunchy crust on your mac and cheese, use a pre-toasted breadcrumb topping so you don’t have to run the oven for this one-skillet mac and cheese recipe.
Simply melt butter in a skillet, toss in some Panko breadcrumbs until evenly toasted, season with parsley, garlic powder, and Parmesan, and just sprinkle the bread crumbs over your mac and cheese.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Shred Your Own Cheese
For best results, shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that make it harder to melt smoothly.
Load it With Vegetables
Use this bacon mac and cheese recipe to sneak wholesome vegetables into your routine! You can add baby spinach and broccoli to the sauce.
Use Smoked Gouda
Love smoked macaroni and cheese? Make this bacon macaroni and cheese recipe with cheddar and smoked Gouda for a rich, smoky depth.
Bacon Macaroni Cheese Recipe FAQs
Can you add bacon to macaroni cheese?
Of course! Crispy, salty, and smoky bacon is a no-brainer for taking mac and cheese up a notch. We’re even using the garlicky bacon grease as the base of our sauce. If you prefer not to use bacon, smoked sausage or diced ham are both delicious alternatives.
What to add to macaroni and cheese with bacon to make it taste better?
You can add more herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of your bacon macaroni and cheese. Try garlic powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, rosemary, or thyme. You can also mix cheddar with Parmesan or Gruyère cheese for more depth.
What is the secret ingredient for mac & cheese?
You might notice something unexpected in this skillet bacon mac and cheese recipe: ground mustard. It keeps the sauce smooth and brings out the cheese flavor more!
Can you make this macaroni and cheese with bacon recipe in advance?
Yes. Once cooled, transfer your bacon mac and cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can reheat the pasta dish on the stovetop over low heat, adding a bit of milk as needed to revive its creamy consistency.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Pasta Chips
- French Onion Pasta
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Creamy Pumpkin and Sage Pasta
I found this recipe for Meghan Markle’s One Pan Pasta that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz macaroni
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 2/3 lb bacon, sliced
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp mustard powder
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic just before the bacon turns crispy and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant.
- Remove the bacon and garlic from the skillet and set aside, leaving the oil in the pan.
- Rinse and drain the uncooked pasta to remove excess starch.
- Add the butter, macaroni, milk, broth, pepper, and mustard powder to the same skillet used for the bacon.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring to combine everything evenly.
- Bring the mac and cheese to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat.
- Simmer until the sauce thickens, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- After 10 to 15 minutes, the milk should have reduced, and the sauce should have thickened. You can add a little broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Stir in the cheese and reserved bacon until the cheese melts into the sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use chicken broth to thin the mac and cheese sauce to the desired consistency. Â
- To keep the dairy from curdling, keep the cooking temperature below a boil when reducing the sauce.Â
- If the mac and cheese sauce is too runny, thicken it by creating a slurry with a couple of teaspoons of flour and some cold water and stirring this mixture into the sauce.
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!
