Creamy Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Bacon

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.

A classic comfort food elevated with a velvety cheese sauce, crunchy bacon bits, and a hint of nutmeg for an irresistible, soul-warming meal. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs macaroni, bacon, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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 4 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 12 oz macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook 4 oz diced bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes; remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving 2 tbsp bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet with the bacon fat and melt over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until a smooth paste forms and the raw flour smell disappears.
  4. Step 4: Slowly pour in 1 cup whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps, then add 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp paprika. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup grated parmesan until fully melted and smooth.
  6. Step 6: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. Transfer to a baking dish and top with 4 oz cooked bacon and 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs.
  7. Step 7: Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

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