Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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.

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Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon macaroni and cheese recipe

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 35

Servings:

Calories: 530kcal

Author: Louisa

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!

Use chicken broth to thin the mac and cheese sauce to the desired consistency.
To keep the dairy from curdling, keep the cooking temperature below a boil when reducing the sauce.
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.