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Crispy Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe with Bacon – Easy 3 Cheese Comfort Food

Southern baked mac and cheese with bacon - featured image
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This Southern baked mac and cheese features a trio of cheddar, gouda, and parmesan, smoky bacon, and a crispy panko topping. It’s creamy, crunchy, and perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz elbow macaroni
  • Salt (for boiling water and seasoning)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground mustard (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble once cooled.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until bubbling but not browned.
  5. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened (about 5-6 minutes).
  6. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, gouda, and parmesan cheeses. Add ground mustard, black pepper, salt, and paprika. Stir until cheeses melt and sauce is silky.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, pour cheese sauce over drained macaroni. Toss gently to coat. Fold in crumbled bacon (reserve some for topping if desired).
  8. Pour mac and cheese mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
  9. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni. Top with shredded cheddar and reserved bacon bits.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling. For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  11. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and flour, and substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs. For vegetarian, omit bacon and add mushrooms or onions. Shred cheese yourself for best texture. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of milk. Let cool before serving for best consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, southern, baked, bacon, comfort food, three cheese, casserole, easy, family dinner, potluck

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