One Pot Bacon Mac Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this decadent One Pot Bacon Mac and Cheese! This quick and easy recipe combines tender elbow macaroni, crispy thick-cut bacon, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and Parmesan—all cooked together in a single pot for easy cleanup. Infused with savory garlic and seasoned to perfection, this hearty dish is ready in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing side. Each bite is loaded with cheesy goodness and smoky bacon flavor, delivering the perfect balance of richness and nostalgia. Garnish with extra bacon and Parmesan for a finishing touch that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dry elbow macaroni
- 6 slices Thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
- 3 cups Water
Instructions
In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, then crumble it into small pieces. Set aside.
Discard most of the bacon grease from the pot, leaving behind about 1 tablespoon for added flavor.
Add the butter to the pot and melt over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color.
Slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, then stir in the dry elbow macaroni and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot, allowing the pasta to cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and creamy.
Fold in the crumbled bacon, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the mac and cheese hot, topped with reserved bacon and a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2976 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 170.4 g | 218% | |
| Saturated Fat | 97.2 g | 486% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 494 mg | 165% | |
| Sodium | 4905 mg | 213% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 225.1 g | 82% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.2 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.4 g | ||
| Protein | 140.2 g | 280% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.3 mcg | 46% | |
| Calcium | 3047 mg | 234% | |
| Iron | 5.9 mg | 33% | |
| Potassium | 1874 mg | 40% | |
*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.
