Cheese and Bacon Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Cheese and Bacon Bake! This hearty dish combines tender penne pasta, crispy bacon, and a luscious, homemade three-cheese sauce featuring cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan for maximum flavor. A golden, bubbly topping—enhanced with optional breadcrumbs—adds the perfect crunch, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley lends a pop of color. Ready in just 45 minutes, this baked pasta casserole is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a crowd-pleasing weeknight meal. Creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying, this recipe is destined to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Penne pasta
- 200 grams Bacon strips
- 50 grams Unsalted butter
- 50 grams All-purpose flour
- 500 ml Milk
- 200 grams Cheddar cheese, grated
- 100 grams Mozzarella cheese, grated
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 50 grams Breadcrumbs (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a baking dish with a little butter or non-stick cooking spray.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from the skillet, chop into bite-sized pieces, and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to form a roux, ensuring there are no lumps.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously, until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Add the cooked pasta and bacon pieces to the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is well-coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top for extra crunch.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 62.3 g | 80% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.6 g | 163% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 176 mg | 59% | |
| Sodium | 2158 mg | 94% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 59.5 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.8 g | ||
| Protein | 53.8 g | 108% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 852 mg | 66% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 599 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
