Macaroni and Cheese Surprise
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our irresistible Macaroni and Cheese Surprise! This upgraded twist on the classic features a velvety three-cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan, perfectly coating tender elbow macaroni. But the real star is the surprise layer—crispy, smoky crumbled bacon nestled between the creamy pasta layers that adds a delightful burst of flavor. Topped with golden, buttery panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch, this baked macaroni and cheese is pure indulgence. Ready in under an hour, it's the perfect centerpiece for cozy family dinners or potlucks. With its creamy texture, smoky bacon kick, and crunchy topping, this dish is a showstopper your taste buds won’t forget!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Slowly add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3–4 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Stir in the paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Remove the saucepan from heat and fold in the cooked macaroni, ensuring all noodles are well coated with the cheese sauce.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and pour half of the macaroni mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the macaroni as the 'surprise' layer.
Top with the remaining macaroni mixture, spreading it evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil, mixing until the breadcrumbs are lightly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the macaroni.
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
Let the macaroni and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, crunchy, and bacon-filled 'Macaroni and Cheese Surprise'!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1016 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 58.7 g | 75% | |
| Saturated Fat | 33.0 g | 165% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 167 mg | 56% | |
| Sodium | 1316 mg | 57% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 82.9 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.7 g | ||
| Protein | 40.2 g | 80% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 778 mg | 60% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 412 mg | 9% | |
*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.
