Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? This three-cheese macaroni with crispy bacon crumble is about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise! We’re talking about a decadent, creamy mac and cheese that’s loaded with an insane three-cheese blend and topped with a crunchy, savory bacon crumble. Get ready for your taste buds to be thoroughly, utterly, and completely blown away.
Why You’ll Love This Three-Cheese Macaroni with Crispy Bacon Crumble
This epic dish is the ultimate in comfort food indulgence. The rich, velvety cheese sauce is an addictive blend of sharp cheddar, creamy fontina, and tangy parmesan that will have you absolutely devouring every single bite. And the crispy bacon crumble on top? It adds an incredible salty, smoky, and crunchy element that takes this mac and cheese to new, sensational heights. Prepare to experience the most thrilling, mouth-watering, and legendary mac and cheese of your life!
Ingredients
This insane three-cheese macaroni starts with a blend of cheddar, fontina, and parmesan cheeses that melt into a silky, creamy sauce. We’re also using elbow macaroni, butter, all-purpose flour, milk, salt, and pepper. And let’s not forget the star of the show – crispy, salty bacon that gets crumbled on top!
- 8 oz – Elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp – Unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup – All-purpose flour
- 3 cups – Whole milk
- 2 cups – Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup – Shredded fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup – Grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp – Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp – Ground black pepper
- 6 slices – Crispy cooked bacon, crumbled
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheese Blend: Feel free to mix up the cheese blend a bit by swapping in other melty cheeses like gruyere or gouda (they melt beautifully!)
- Pasta Shape: You can use a different pasta shape, like cavatappi or penne, instead of elbow macaroni (just adjust the cooking time as needed)
How to Make Three-Cheese Macaroni with Crispy Bacon Crumble
This epic three-cheese mac and cheese comes together in just a few simple steps. Let’s get to it, folks – we’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by cooking the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. Drain it on a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour to create a roux.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the shredded cheddar, fontina, and parmesan cheeses until they’re melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat the noodles evenly. Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and top with the crispy bacon crumble.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Bake the three-cheese macaroni with crispy bacon crumble in a preheated 375°F oven until the top is golden brown and bubbly, about 15-20 minutes.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Extra Flavor Boosters: Feel free to get creative with this epic mac and cheese! Try adding in some sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or diced jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Meat Swap: You can swap out the bacon for crispy pancetta or chorizo if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Crispy Topping: If you want to really take it over the top, top it with a layer of buttery breadcrumbs or crispy fried onions before baking.
- Veggie Version: For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and top the mac and cheese with crispy breadcrumbs or fried onions instead.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a fresh green salad and some crusty garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food feast.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Just reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the mac and cheese in advance, then just bake it off when you’re ready to serve. The bacon crumble can also be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information
This indulgent three-cheese macaroni with crispy bacon crumble is a total flavor explosion, but it’s also packed with some serious nutrition. Each serving contains a generous amount of protein from the cheese and bacon, as well as important vitamins and minerals. Of course, it’s also high in calories and fat, so be sure to enjoy it as an occasional treat!
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 32 g
- Fat: 34 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this mac and cheese ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the mac and cheese in advance, then just bake it off when you’re ready to serve. The bacon crumble can also be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can swap out the elbow macaroni for any short pasta shape you like, such as penne, cavatappi, or fusilli.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in the cheese sauce.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and top the mac and cheese with crispy breadcrumbs or fried onions instead.
How spicy is this dish?
This three-cheese macaroni is not inherently spicy. However, you can add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce if you want to amp up the heat.
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Three-Cheese Macaroni with Crispy Bacon Crumble
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: 🧀 MAC ATTACK
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in this creamy Three-Cheese Macaroni with crispy bacon crumble. A perfect comfort food dish that combines the richness of three cheeses with the savory crunch of bacon.
Ingredients
8 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
1. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook until the mixture thickens.
4. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and feta cheeses until melted.
5. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni and mix well.
6. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a baking dish, and top with crumbled bacon and breadcrumbs.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add some cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. You can also substitute the bacon with turkey bacon for a healthier option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: macaroni and cheese, comfort food, pasta