Ba Mac and Cheese: Tips, Tricks and Recipes for Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Ba Mac and Cheese: Recipes, Tips and Tricks

Mac and cheese is a comfort food favorite for people of all ages. The creamy, cheesy pasta bakes up perfectly every time. While the classic version with elbow macaroni and cheddar cheese is hard to beat, there are so many ways to customize this dish.

One delicious twist on mac and cheese is to use bacon! The smoky, salty flavor of crispy bacon complement the rich cheese sauce beautifully. Bacon mac and cheese, sometimes called "ba mac" for short, takes this carb-heavy side to the next level.

Read on to learn all about making bacon mac and cheese recipes at home. We'll cover different cooking methods, ingredient ideas, serving suggestions, and helpful tips to take your ba mac to new heights of cheesy, bacon-y perfection.

Bacon Mac and Cheese Cooking Methods

There are a few different ways to incorporate bacon into mac and cheese. Each technique results in a unique flavor and texture.

Baked Bacon Mac and Cheese

For a classic baked mac and cheese with bacon, first cook the bacon until crispy. Crumble and mix some of the bacon into the cheese sauce. Reserve some for topping. Assemble and bake the mac and cheese until hot and bubbly.

Baked bacon mac has a rich, creamy interior with crunchy bacon bits throughout. Topping with more crispy bacon gives an extra hit of smoky flavor in each bite.

Stovetop Bacon Mac and Cheese

You can also prepare bacon mac and cheese completely on the stovetop. Cook the pasta until al dente. Make a cheese sauce on the stove and mix in crumbled bacon. Toss the sauce with the drained pasta and serve immediately.

Stovetop versions have a looser, more sauce-like texture. The bacon flavor permeates the entire dish instead of being concentrated on top.

Bacon Fat Mac and Cheese

For maximum bacon essence, use some of the rendered bacon fat to prepare the roux for your cheese sauce. Saute the flour and milk in bacon fat before adding cheese. Garnish with crispy crumbled bacon.

Cooking the sauce with bacon fat provides incredible depth of bacon flavor. Just a spoonful infuses the whole pan of mac and cheese.

Bacon Mac and Cheese Ingredients

While the classic version uses just a few ingredients, there are plenty of ways to add extras to ba mac and cheese. Consider mixing in any of the following:

Mix-Ins:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Caramelized onions
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Roasted red peppers
• Sauteed spinach
• Diced ham
• Cooked lobster or shrimp
• Crumbled sausage
• Diced cooked chicken

Cheeses:

• Cheddar
• Gruyere
• Fontina
• Monterey Jack
• Pepper Jack
• Gouda
• Brie
• Goat cheese
• Parmesan
• Blue cheese

Seasonings:

• Dry mustard
• Smoked paprika
• Dash hot sauce
• Ground chipotle
• Italian seasoning
• Chopped chives
• Minced garlic
• Lemon zest

Get creative with mix-ins and cheese choices to invent your own ba mac flavors. Add herbs, spices and seasonings to give it extra flair.

Bacon Mac and Cheese Toppings

A baked bacon mac really benefits from extra toppings scattered over the top before broiling. To add even more texture and flavor, try these crunchy, savory garnishes:

• Crumbled bacon
• Buttery breadcrumbs or panko
• Crushed crackers like Ritz or saltines
• Fried shallots
• Sliced almonds
• Sesame seeds
• Crushed potato chips
• Shredded or grated extra cheese

Sprinkle on a generous layer of your chosen topping right before baking or broiling. The high heat will brown and crisp the garnishes, creating irresistible crunch.

Noodle Types for Bacon Mac and Cheese

While elbow macaroni is standard, any small pasta shape works well. Consider these alternatives:

• Shells
• Rigatoni
• Penne
• Rotini
• Farfalle
• Wagon wheel pasta
• Small shells
• Orecchiette
• Campanelle
• Cellentani

Mini pasta shapes like ditalini or tubetti are perfect for getting cheese-coated bites. For fun presentation, use rainbow pasta.

Gluten-free pasta can be substituted to make it gluten-free. Just check the package instructions for adjusted cook times.

Serving Bacon Mac and Cheese

Bacon mac and cheese is delicious on its own, but there are lots of ways to serve it as a meal:

• With garlic bread or biscuits
• With a salad or steamed vegetables
• Scooped on top of chicken breasts or pork chops
• Laden with fried shrimp, lobster, or crab legs
• As a filling for stuffed peppers or shells
• Topped with extra bacon and breadcrumbs
• With fried eggs or omelet wedges on top

For a hearty dinner, serve ba mac alongside meatloaf, fried chicken, or BBQ ribs. You can also scoop it into casserole dishes to bake - perfect for potlucks!

Bacon Mac and Cheese Tips

Follow these tips for superior bacon mac every time:

• Cook pasta al dente - slightly underdone pasta holds up best in baked mac. Overcooked pasta turns to mush.
• Don't skip béchamel - making a roux-based sauce prevents the mac from drying out in the oven.
• Season your sauce - add a pinch of dry mustard, smoked paprika, salt and pepper for extra flavor.
• Use real cheese - pre-shredded cheese won't melt as smoothly. Shred blocks of good melting cheese.
• Top it twice - sprinkle extra toppings on before and after baking for ultra crunchy deliciousness.
• Broil at the end - 2-3 minutes under the broiler gives the top a crispy, browned crust.
• Let it rest before serving - allow baked mac 10 minutes to set up before dishing it out.

Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipes

Now that you know the basics, try out some of these amazing bacon mac and cheese recipes!

Classic Baked Bacon Mac and Cheese

This recipe sticks close to the traditional version while incorporating bacon. It's easy to customize by adding different cheese varieties.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow pasta
• 6 slices bacon
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• pinch cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta to al dente, drain and rinse.
2. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble and reserve.
3. Make roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Cook 2 minutes.
4. Whisk in milk slowly and cook until thickened. Season with mustard, cayenne, salt and pepper.
5. Add cheeses and stir until melted and smooth.
6. Fold in pasta and 1 cup bacon. Transfer to baking dish.
7. Top with remaining bacon and breadcrumbs.
8. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
9. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Stovetop Jalapeno Bacon Mac

For a spicy twist, make this jalapeno bacon mac completely on the stovetop. The peppers and pepper jack cheese pack some heat.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cavatappi or shell pasta
• 8 slices bacon, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 jalapenos, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups pepper jack
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar
• Pinch chipotle powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta to al dente, drain and return to pot.
2. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove to paper towel.
3. Saute onion, jalapeno and garlic in bacon fat for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes.
5. Slowly whisk in milk. Simmer until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted.
6. Season with chipotle powder, salt and pepper.
7. Add cheese sauce and bacon to pasta. Toss to coat.
8. Serve warm.

Loaded Baked Potato Bacon Mac and Cheese

All the flavors of a loaded baked potato come together in this fun riff on bacon mac. Potatoes, bacon, cheese, scallions and sour cream - what's not to love?

Ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow pasta
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 scallions, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook pasta al dente, drain and rinse.
3. Cook bacon until crispy. Reserve 2 tablespoons grease.
4. Make roux with butter and bacon grease. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
5. Stir in cheese and sour cream until melted and smooth.
6. Fold pasta, potatoes, bacon and scallions into sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Transfer to baking dish, top with more cheese and bacon.
8. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.
9. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Easy Stovetop Bacon Mac

When you need a quick weeknight meal, whip up this fast stovetop mac. Jarred cheese sauce makes it a breeze.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta
• 6 slices bacon
• 2 cups jarred cheese sauce
• 1/4 cup milk or cream
• 1/2 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar
• 2 scallions, sliced

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Cook bacon until crisp. Crumble and reserve.
3. Heat cheese sauce and milk together, stir in cheddar until melted.
4. Add drained pasta and toss to coat. Stir in 3/4 of bacon.
5. Transfer to serving dish. Top with scallions and remaining bacon.
6. Serve immediately.

Make Your Best Bacon Mac and Cheese

Bacon mac and cheese is easy to make at home with endless ways to customize. Bake it, make it on the stovetop, or use bacon fat in the sauce. Play around with different add-ins, cheeses and toppings to invent your own perfect bacon mac recipe.

With so many options for cooking methods, ingredients, and serving styles, you can reinvent this classic comfort dish in dozens of delicious ways. Just don't forget the most important rule - never skimp on the bacon!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.