Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

• Elbow Macaroni

  1 cup
• Bacon

  4 slices
• Unsalted Butter

  2 tablespoons
• All-purpose Flour

  2 tablespoons
• Milk

  1.5 cups
• Cheddar Cheese

  1.5 cups
• Panko Breadcrumbs

  0.5 cup
• Salt

  0.5 teaspoon
• Black Pepper

  0.3 teaspoon

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Všechny kroky

1. 1

   Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.

2. 2

   While macaroni cooks, chop bacon into small pieces. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside.

3. 3

   In the same skillet with the reserved bacon fat, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.

4. 4

   Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

5. 5

   Remove skillet from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.

6. 6

   Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Gently fold in most of the crispy bacon, reserving a small amount for garnish.

7. 7

   In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil or a tiny bit of melted butter if desired, for extra crispiness.

8. 8

   Pour the mac and cheese into an oven-safe dish (or two individual dishes for servings). Top with the seasoned breadcrumbs and the remaining crumbled bacon.

9. 9

   Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly. Serve hot.