Stovetop Sweet Corn and Bacon Macaroni

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 stovetop macaroni with crispy bacon and sweet corn kernels tossed in a cheesy sauce, perfect for picky eaters. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, bacon strips, unsalted 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1/2 tsp salt) to a boil. Add 8 oz elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 4 diced bacon strips until crisp, about 6 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in skillet.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet with bacon fat. Once melted, whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until golden and bubbling.
  4. Step 4: Slowly whisk in 2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly, and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until smooth and melted. Fold in drained macaroni, 1 cup thawed sweet corn kernels, and cooked bacon. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Serve warm.

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