Bacon and Gruyère Macaroni and Cheese
A decadent twist on classic mac and cheese, featuring crispy bacon, nutty Gruyère, and a buttery roux-based sauce with a hint of Dijon mustard. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs elbow macaroni, bacon slices, Gruyère cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 8 oz bacon slices
- 8 oz Gruyère cheese
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 oz cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook 16 oz elbow macaroni in salted boiling water 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, cook 8 oz bacon slices over medium heat 8-10 minutes until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tbsp fat in the pan.
- Step 3: Add 4 tbsp butter and 3 tbsp flour to the skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes until golden, stirring constantly. Whisk in 2 cups whole milk and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard until smooth.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low. Stir in 8 oz grated Gruyère and 4 oz grated cheddar until melted and sauce is thickened.
- Step 5: Add cooked macaroni and crispy bacon to the sauce, toss to combine. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining 2 tbsp butter, and bake 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bacon and Gruyère Macaroni and Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bacon and Gruyère Macaroni and Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep elbow macaroni from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bacon and Gruyère Macaroni and Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bacon and Gruyère Macaroni and Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bacon and Gruyère Macaroni and Cheese?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
