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Creamy Smoked Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon

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A comforting and smoky mac and cheese featuring sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, and crispy bacon, topped with a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust. Perfect for cozy evenings and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
  • 8 strips crispy bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon strips until crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling but not browned to make a roux.
  5. Slowly add whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Stir in smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
  7. Remove sauce from heat and gradually add shredded cheddar and smoked gouda, stirring until melted and smooth.
  8. Add drained macaroni and crumbled bacon (reserve some for topping) to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat evenly.
  9. In a small bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter.
  10. Transfer mac and cheese into a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top, then scatter remaining bacon bits.
  11. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Optionally broil for the last 2 minutes for extra crispness, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  12. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature milk to avoid lumps in the sauce. Freshly shred cheese for best melt and texture. Do not overcook pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven. Toss panko breadcrumbs with oil or butter before baking for a crispy topping. You can prepare the dish ahead and refrigerate before baking, adding a few extra minutes to bake time if cold.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, smoked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, bacon mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, smoky cheese, crispy bacon

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/creamy-smoked-mac-and-cheese-with-crispy-bacon-easy-recipe-for-homemade-comfort-food/