Bacon Mac and Cheese
This bacon mac and cheese is a one pot dish featuring pasta in a creamy cheese sauce with plenty of bacon. An easy dinner option that's packed with smoky bacon flavor!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bacon (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 4 cups milk
- 16 ounces uncooked short pasta (such as cavatappi or elbow macaroni)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Directions
- 1
Place the bacon in a large pan over medium high heat. Cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels.
- 2
Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan; discard the rest of the fat.
- 3
Add the flour, then whisk until combined, about 30 seconds.
- 4
Pour in the water and whisk until smooth and just thickened.
- 5
Add the milk and whisk until combined.
- 6
Stir in the pasta, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and pepper, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
- 7
Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is done.
- 8
Turn the heat to low, then stir in the cheddar cheese. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth. If you need to thin the sauce, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- 9
Stir in half of the bacon.
- 10
Sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top, along with the parsley. Serve immediately.