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Creamy Smoked Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon

creamy smoked mac and cheese - featured image
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A rich, velvety mac and cheese with a subtle smoky flavor and crispy bacon topping, perfect for comforting weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warm
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup smoked gouda, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook 8-9 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted and foamy, whisk in all-purpose flour continuously for 2-3 minutes until light golden and nutty smelling.
  4. Slowly pour in warm whole milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Add more milk if sauce is too thick.
  5. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar and smoked gouda until melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir in liquid smoke if using.
  6. Optional: Transfer cheese sauce to a stovetop smoker or smoking pan and smoke gently for 5 minutes with wood chips for authentic smoky flavor.
  7. Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce and stir gently to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Serve mac and cheese in bowls or plates. Sprinkle chopped crispy bacon generously on top. Optionally garnish with smoked paprika or chives.

Notes

Constant whisking is essential to avoid lumps in the sauce. Use warm milk to prevent clumping. For smoky flavor without a smoker, use liquid smoke or smoked paprika. Bacon fat adds flavor to the sauce. Reheat gently with milk to loosen sauce if thickened. Freeze portions before adding bacon for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, smoked mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, bacon mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, stovetop smoking

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