Is there anything better than bacon, caramelized onions, and cheese? According to this Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon, absolutely not.
Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon
Oh. My. Goodness. This mac and cheese, y’all. You know those times you just need good, old-fashioned, lip-smackin’ comfort food? Next time you feel like that (okay, or just any old day that you want some bacon and carbs, like next Thursday), get this Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon on your to-do list, like, immediately. It is purely divine.
I really don’t know what’s better than cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon. I’ve been trying to think of literally anything, and I’m drawing a blank. Maybe adorable puppies who are automatically potty trained, or toddlers who don’t throw tantrums. Those things might top this baked mac and cheese, but honestly, probably not. I can’t get over it. I won’t get over it. And I need you to make it pretty much ASAP. Do we have a deal?
What goes good with baked mac and cheese?
This recipe is Filling with a capital F. It’s got all the good stuff that’ll give you energy and keep you full: protein, carbs, and fat. So you don’t need anything too crazy if you want a side dish! And, honestly, the lighter, the better in this case. You could make oven-roasted broccoli, sautéed tomatoes and mushrooms, a light spinach salad, or stovetop peas and carrots. Veggies are key on the side of a rich and hearty dish like baked mac and cheese!
How do you reheat baked macaroni and cheese?
The best trick for reheating mac and cheese to taste as good on round two as it did the first time is adding a splash of milk to the leftovers. Pasta has a tendency to soak up liquid, so to make the texture not feel dried out, a little milk before popping it into the microwave or oven helps immensely. One tablespoon of milk to one cup of mac and cheese is the perfect amount.
To microwave it, place a portion in a microwave-safe bowl before blasting it for 1 minute, stirring it, and then popping it back in for 30-second increments, stirring between, until heated through and steaming. To reheat in the oven, you can place the entire baking dish (if you’ll be serving up all the leftovers) in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it’s fully heated.
How long can you keep baked macaroni and cheese?
Store your leftover baked mac and cheese in the fridge in an airtight container after it has totally cooled post-baking. It’ll last for up to 5 days in the fridge, or for 2 to 3 months if you end up freezing it.
Baked Mac-n-Cheese
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 6 1x
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Is there anything better than bacon, caramelized onions, and cheese? According to this Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon, absolutely not.
Ingredients
- 4 cups macaroni noodles, uncooked
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 2 egg yolks, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3–4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (the sharper the better)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook macaroni for half the time of the package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, fry the bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel, and chop into small bits. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease.
- In the same skillet that you fried the bacon in, add the onions, and cook over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden-brown, caramelized, and soft. Set aside.
- In a pot, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle in flour, and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat for 1 minute.
- Pour in milk, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until thick. Reduce heat to low. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Do not under-salt!)
- Beat egg yolks in a separate small bowl, and then drizzle 1/4 cup hot milk mixture into the yolks, stirring constantly. Pour egg mixture back into sauce, and cook for another minute.
- Add cheese, and stir until melted. Add onions and bacon, and stir. Taste for seasoning, and add more salt if needed.
- Add cooked macaroni and stir to coat. Pour into a baking dish, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until sizzling and hot.
Notes
- Bacon, caramelized onions, and cheese… What more can we want in a mac and cheese recipe?
- Category: side dish
- Method: stovetop and oven
- Cuisine: pasta
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Other homemade macaroni and cheese recipes:
- Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese
- Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Easy No-bake Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
- Creamy Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
- Buffalo Chicken Mac-n-Cheese from Bakeaholic Mama
- Skinny Macaroni and Cheese
Is there anything better than bacon, caramelized onions, and cheese? According to this Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe, absolutely not.
About Melissa
I have a lot going on, and I’d much rather spend my time enjoying my messes than fretting about what I’m going to make for dinner. Over the past few years, I’ve nailed down a few strategies that helped me keep my kitchen running like a well-oiled machine, so I started Bless This Mess to help other mess-loving parents solve the nightly dinner delimma—no stress, no drama, just really great food your whole family will love. Read more...
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Why do you make my mouth water all the time??
Yes! I love this recipe! I thought this looked wonderful on her website, but I’m so glad there is a version that is budget friendly! Thank you!!! 🙂