Homemade mac & cheese made with 3 different cheeses, added bacon bits, then topped with a panko breadcrumb and baked to gooey perfection!
Prep Time15 minutesminutes
Cook Time45 minutesminutes
Total Time1 hourhour
Yield 6servings
5 from 1 vote
Ingredients
Breadcrumb Topping
1Tbspunsalted butter
1cuppanko breadcrumbs
1Tbspfresh chiveschopped
1tspdried oregano
1/4cupshredded Parmesan cheese
Macaroni & Cheese
8slicesthick-cut bacondiced
1lbmacaroni noodlescooked
4Tbspunsalted butter
1/4cupall-purpose flour
3 1/2cupsmilk
1/2tspground paprika
1/2tspgarlic powder
1/2tsponion powder
2cupssharp cheddar cheesegrated
1cupwhite cheddar cheesegrated
1cupshredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Breadcrumb Topping
Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add butter. Let butter melt fully then add panko, chives, and oregano and toss to combine.
Let cook, stirring frequently, until panko just starts to brown. Be careful, it will burn fast if you take your eyes off it or don't continue stirring.
Remove from heat when most of the panko is browned; about 3-4 minutes. Add parmesan cheese and toss to combine. Set aside to cool.
Macaroni & Cheese
Preheat the oven to 350° F and spray a casserole style baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
If you need to cook the macaroni, add the uncooked macaroni to a large pot of boiling water and cook until al dente; about 8-10 minutes. Drain and toss with a small amount of butter or olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking.
In a large skillet, add the diced bacon and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until cooked through and crispy; about 8-10 minutes. Drain on paper towel lined plate.
While the bacon is cooking, you can start with the cheese sauce in a casserole pan or a large saucepan.
Heat the pan over medium and add the butter to melt. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and cook until just turning browned; about 1-2 minutes.
Pour in the milk slowly while whisking constantly to smooth the sauce. Whisk in the paprika, garlic, and onion powder, then season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low and start adding cheese 1 small handful at a time, continuing to whisk constantly, and letting the cheese melt in between additions.
Once all the cheese is added and melted, let the sauce simmer for a couple minutes to thicken, while stirring.
Remove from heat and pour the pasta into the cheese sauce mixture. Add the diced bacon and mix thoroughly to combine everything.
Pour the mac & cheese into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with the panko breadcrumb mixture.
Bake at 350° F for 20-30 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble around the edges.
Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.