Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Breadcrumbs

There is no comfort food more easy to make at home than homemade macaroni cheese, or ‘mac and cheese’, or even just ‘mac n cheese’ as it is called in different places! This is my baked mac and cheese with bacon recipe.

This variation includes bacon and eggs, though I am not suggesting you eat this for breakfast! I had some eggs yolks leftover from some baking and decided to add to the sauce, to give it some more richness.

And we all know that bacon and cheese belong together. It worked out quite well I do think.

Origins of Macaroni cheese

Would you believe that the origins are English? Apparently this is the case. It was not what I was expecting when I went to research it.

I had always believed it was an American invention. Certainly, I suppose Americans eat more of it than us Brits these days.

But thinking about it, I do remember this being one of my less favourite meals as a kid at home. I think I was not so keen because of the lack of variation in taste.

You can, of course, alter the taste a lot by the choice of cheese you use. Now, of course, I think it is great!

Variations to the dish

What is the best cheese for mac n cheese? I have used grated cheddar and mozzarella, because that is what I bought pre-shredded in the store. But of course, you could use a sharp cheddar cheese, or top it off with some parmesan cheese. Or maybe even a tasty blue cheese would go well to add some more flavour to the dish.

I like adding the bacon as I think it belongs in there and the breadcrumbs just give it a nice crispy topping. You could also add some cream to the sauce if you want.

I hope you enjoy trying this version of bacon mac and cheese, and let me know how I can make it better in the comments section below!

How to make baked mac and cheese with bacon

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

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This baked mac and cheese with bacon recipe is easy to prepare and comfort food at its finest. Vary the taste with different cheeses. Enjoy!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp bread crumbs
• 150g streaky bacon
• 60 g plain flour
• 60 g butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 300g macaroni
• 800ml milk
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 200g shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese
• Salt and Pepper

To garnish:

• Some Spring onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Fry the bacon in a pan until the fat is rendered and the bacon is nice and crispy. Then remove from pan and let it cool. When it is cool, chop into small pieces.
2. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to instructions on the packaging. Cook for a few minutes LESS than the stated time. Drain the macaroni and cool under some cold water to stop it cooking further.
3. While you are cooking the macaroni make the cheese sauce.
4. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the flour. Then slowly add the milk using a whisk to mix the ingredients together. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken and then add the cheese and the egg yolks.
5. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper and the nutmeg.
6. Put the macaroni and bacon into a suitable baking dish and then add the cheese sauce to cover the pasta and bacon. Stir it all together.
7. Then sprinkle the breadcrumbs on the top and keep covered in the fridge until you are ready to heat it up.
8. Before you want to eat, pre-heat your oven to 180C and cook for about 40-50 minutes, or until your breadcrumbs are golden brown.
   

Notes

Serve up garnished with some chopped spring onions.

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