Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-27 · Updated 2026-03-27

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A gooey, indulgent baked macaroni and cheese topped with crispy bacon and a golden breadcrumb crust for a comforting twist. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 35 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 American cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

16 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups cheddar cheese
8 oz bacon
1 cup milk
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 16 oz elbow macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
Step 2: In a large skillet, cook 8 oz chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and set aside.
Step 3: In a saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter. Whisk in 2 tbsp flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add 1 cup milk, stirring constantly until thickened.
Step 4: Stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp salt until melted and smooth. Add cooked macaroni and mix until well coated.
Step 5: Transfer to a baking dish. Top with crispy bacon and a mixture of 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.