In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, amidst the demands of work, family, and other commitments, the desire for a simple yet comforting meal becomes stronger. On evenings when time seems to slip away, we seek recipes that offer both ease and satisfaction. One such dish that perfectly fits this need is easy weeknight bacon mac n cheese. This classic combination of creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and crispy bacon brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia to the dinner table. With just a few pantry staples and minimal effort, you can create a meal that's both kid-friendly and adored by adults. So let's embark on a culinary journey, exploring the secrets to crafting the perfect easy weeknight bacon mac n cheese, designed to make your busy weeknights a little more delightful.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
EASY WEEKNIGHT MAC AND CHEESE 4 WAYS
A classic, creamy macaroni and cheese. Take it to the next level with Almond Breeze almondmilk and delicious toppings the whole family will love.
Provided by Almond Breeze
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Almond Breeze
Time 35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions, about 8 minutes.
- While macaroni is cooking, melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in Almond Breeze almondmilk and stock and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Stir in mustard, onion powder, and garlic salt.
- Add cheese a little at a time, cooking and stirring until melted before adding more. Season with pepper. Drain macaroni well and stir in. Cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
- For Sausage and Pepper topping: Cook sausage and onion in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until sausage is browned and onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and thyme; cook and stir for 2 minutes more to soften peppers. Serve over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.
- For Riced Veggie and Bacon topping: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add bacon and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in riced veggies; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes to soften. Season with garlic salt. Serve over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.
- For Pepperoni and Veggie Pizza topping: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepperoni and cook until both are lightly browned, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes to soften. Stir in olives, if desired. Spoon over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.
BACON MAC & CHEESE
Jalapeno pepper adds an extra kick to this bacon mac and cheese, giving it great grown-up taste. I serve this comforting dish throughout the year.-Shelly Boehm, South Bend, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h15m
Yield 16 servings (3/4 cup each).
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Saute jalapeno in reserved drippings. Add milk and cheeses to pan; cook and stir until blended. Stir in the onion powder, chili powder, salt, pepper and pepper sauce. , Drain macaroni; add to pan with the onions and cooked bacon. Mix well. , Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 438 calories, Fat 26g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 1106mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
LOADED BACON MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: mac 'n' cheese, bacon, grated monterey jack cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, pepper
Provided by Julie Klink
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Prepare 1 box of Mac 'N' Cheese according to instructions on box.
- Add cooked bacon, monterey jack cheese, mozzarella cheese and pepper, stir until fully incorporated.
- Top with desired garnish. Serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 878 calories, Carbohydrate 64 grams, Fat 45 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 50 grams, Sugar 8 grams
CREAMY STOVETOP BACON MAC AND CHEESE
Provided by Kelsey Nixon
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente; drain.
- Set an extra-large skillet, or a large heavy saucepan, over medium-low heat and cook the bacon until crispy and the fat renders out, 10 to 12 minutes. Set the bacon aside, reserving the fat to build your sauce. At this point you should have about 1/4 cup of reserved fat. If needed, add some olive oil or butter to make sure you have a 1/4 cup of fat in the pan.
- Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the paste bubbles a bit, about 2 minutes (make sure it doesn't brown). Continuing to whisk, add 3 cups of the hot milk and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes. Stir in the dry mustard, and then gradually add the Cheddar and Muenster cheeses, stirring constantly until all of the cheese has melted into the sauce. Stir in the hot sauce and the remaining 1 cup milk. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat. Stir in the crispy bacon and season with salt and pepper.
Tips:
- Use a good quality bacon. The flavor of the bacon will come through in the final dish, so it's important to use a bacon that you enjoy the taste of.
- Cook the bacon until it's crispy. This will give the bacon a nice texture and flavor.
- Use a sharp cheddar cheese. A sharp cheddar cheese will give the mac and cheese a nice, bold flavor.
- Use a combination of cheeses. Using a combination of cheeses will give the mac and cheese a more complex flavor.
- Don't overcook the macaroni. The macaroni should be cooked al dente, so that it still has a little bite to it.
- Make sure the sauce is thick and creamy. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the macaroni, but not so thick that it's gloppy.
- Season the mac and cheese to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
- Top the mac and cheese with your favorite toppings. Some popular toppings include breadcrumbs, bacon bits, and green onions.
Conclusion:
Bacon mac and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a bacon mac and cheese that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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