Cheesy Bacon Mac and Cheese with Baked Breadcrumbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

An American twist on classic mac and cheese with crispy bacon and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs Macaroni, Bacon, Cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz macaroni and 1 tbsp salt, stirring occasionally. Cook for 8 minutes, or until al dente (firm to the bite). Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Tip: Use the reserved pasta water later to adjust sauce consistency.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz bacon in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then stir and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving fat in the pan. Tip: Crispy bacon ensures a better texture than soggy.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet. Once melted, whisk in 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese until smooth and glossy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cooked macaroni, crispy bacon, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Mix until cheese forms a creamy sauce coating the pasta. Tip: Add cheese off the heat to prevent clumping.
  4. Step 4: Transfer macaroni mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the macaroni. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy. Tip: Rotate the dish halfway through baking for even browning.

Related recipes