Dutch Oven Bacon Mac and Cheese

Dutch Oven Bacon Mac and Cheese

Rich in flavor and cheese. This Mac and Cheese has it all, including a pound of bacon! Fill that dutch oven to the brim with a hearty, fall classic.

Ingredients

  • bacon
    1 lb
  • elbow macaroni
    1 lb
  • butter
    8 tbsp
  • flour
    ½ c
  • whole milk
    4 c
  • cream cheese
    4 tbsp
  • sharp cheddar cheese
    8 oz
  • blue cheese
    5 oz
  • 5 lb gruyere
  • nutmeg
    1 tsp
  • black pepper
    ½ tsp
  • garlic powder
    ½ tsp
  • fresh sage leaves
    2

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. I add 1/4 cup of salt to the water as it boils for perfectly seasoned pasta.

  2. 2

    Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut the raw bacon in to half inch pieces. With the dutch oven on the stovetop over low, cook half the bacon at a time. Use a wooden spoon to separate the pieces so they cook evenly. As they are done cooking, remove them from the dutch oven to drain excess grease on a paper towel. Once all the bacon is cooked, remove all extra grease from the dutch oven except for 1-2 Tablespoons.

  3. 3

    Add butter to the dutch oven and melt. Sprinkle in flour to the butter and whisk to cook through. Once the flour butter mixture starts to bubble, slowly pour in the milk 1 cup at a time. Stir until thickened before adding the next cup of milk.

  4. 4

    After all the milk has been added and the mixture is thickened, add the cream cheese and stir to melt. Once melted add the cheese and seasonings. Mix well until creamy.

  5. 5

    Add the cooked pasta, sage, and bacon. Stir well. Top with any extra bacon and the reserved blue cheese. Enjoy while warm.

Dutch Oven Bacon Mac and Cheese

Dutch Oven Bacon Mac and Cheese

994 cal

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Looking for the ultimate comfort food experience that truly delivers? This Dutch Oven Bacon Mac and Cheese is the hearty, cheesy answer to your cravings, packed with a full pound of savory bacon.

What sets this mac and cheese apart is the luxurious blend of cheeses—sharp cheddar, pungent blue cheese, and five pounds of creamy Gruyère—combined with the irresistible depth of a full pound of crispy bacon. The addition of cream cheese ensures a silky-smooth sauce, while a hint of nutmeg and fresh sage elevate the flavors beyond ordinary.

Prepare for a rich, velvety sauce that coats every elbow macaroni, punctuated by generous bites of salty bacon. The complexity comes from the interplay of sharp, tangy, and nutty cheeses, all balanced by aromatic spices. This mac and cheese is designed to be substantial and deeply satisfying, providing a warm, comforting embrace that makes it a perfect dish for cooler weather or any time you need serious comfort.

While this recipe shines with its specified cheese blend, you could experiment with other melty cheeses like fontina or smoked gouda for a different profile. If you prefer a less intense blue cheese flavor, you can slightly reduce the amount. For a touch of heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper could be folded into the sauce along with the black pepper and garlic powder.

This rich, hearty mac and cheese is a classic fall dish, perfect for cozy family dinners or as a comforting centerpiece for any gathering. Serve it warm straight from the Dutch oven for a rustic, inviting presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions