Bacon-Cheddar Baked Macaroni
A crowd-pleasing macaroni and cheese with crispy bacon and a melty cheese sauce. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs elbow macaroni, diced bacon, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 slices, diced bacon
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups, shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp, melted butter
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook 12 oz elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
- Step 2: In a skillet, cook 4 slices bacon, diced, over medium heat until crisp (5 minutes). Remove bacon with slotted spoon, leaving 1 tbsp bacon fat in skillet.
- Step 3: Melt 2 tbsp butter in skillet over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk until smooth, then simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella until melted. Remove from heat and stir in cooked macaroni and 4 slices bacon.
- Step 6: Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter and sprinkle over top.
- Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bacon-Cheddar Baked Macaroni take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 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-Cheddar Baked Macaroni?
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-Cheddar Baked Macaroni?
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-Cheddar Baked Macaroni 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-Cheddar Baked Macaroni?
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
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at my family dinner! The bacon and cheddar combo is perfect.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the taste, but it was a bit bland for my family. I added extra pepper next time.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked it for my wife's birthday. Took longer than the recipe said to bake, but worth it.
