When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can compare to the creamy indulgence of macaroni and cheese. It’s the epitome of heartwarming, cozy meals, making it a favorite for family dinners and festive gatherings alike. But what if you could take this classic dish and elevate it to something truly special? Imagine velvety cheese sauce enveloping perfectly cooked pasta, topped with crispy bacon, aromatic caramelized onions, and the nutty richness of Gruyère cheese, all finished with a golden breadcrumb crust. This Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Gruyère brings all of that together in a spectacular way.
PrintMacaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Gruyère
🍴💥 Elevate your mac and cheese game! This Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Gruyère takes comfort food to a whole new level. 🧀✨ Rich, gooey cheese, perfectly crispy bacon, and the nutty Gruyère combine for a dish that’s bursting with flavor in every bite. 😍 Whether you’re serving it up for a family dinner or enjoying it solo, this indulgent recipe is bound to be a crowd-pleaser! 🍽️❤️
#BaconMacAndCheese #GruyereMacAndCheese #UltimateComfortFood #CheeseAddict #SavoryDelights #FoodiePerfection #BaconCravings #CheesyGoodness #MacAndCheeseGoals #ComfortingEats 🧀🥓🍝💖
- Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 pound Shellbows Pasta (or elbow macaroni)
- 1 pound bacon
- 4 and 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 shallots, diced
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 3 and 3/4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces white extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 6 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar (for color and flavor), grated
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish and set it aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add salt and the Shellbows pasta (or elbow macaroni). Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes, just enough for it to be al dente—it should still have a firm bite. Drain the pasta and transfer it directly into the prepared baking dish, setting it aside for later.
2. Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it becomes crispy on both sides. This should take around 4 to 5 minutes per side.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Once cooled, chop the bacon into small pieces and set them aside.
3. Caramelize the Shallots and Add Herbs:
- In the same skillet where you cooked the bacon, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced shallots and chopped thyme, cooking for about 5 to 6 minutes until the shallots become soft and nearly translucent. The aroma will be savory and herbaceous—this step adds a depth of flavor to the dish that you won’t want to skip.
4. Make the Cheese Sauce:
- Once the shallots are softened, sprinkle the flour over them, stirring constantly to cook the flour for about 1 minute. This will create a roux that thickens the sauce.
- Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook the sauce, whisking often, until it begins to thicken. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Once the sauce has thickened, whisk in the brown sugar, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and ground nutmeg. These seasonings bring a lovely balance of sweetness, spice, and savory notes to the dish.
5. Finish the Sauce:
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream for extra richness, followed by the grated cheeses: extra sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and sharp cheddar. Fold in half of the chopped bacon at this stage to infuse the sauce with more bacon flavor.
- Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the cooked pasta, stirring gently to combine. The sauce should be rich and luscious, coating every piece of pasta perfectly.
6. Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs with olive oil. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated with the oil. This will help the topping crisp up beautifully when baked.
7. Assemble and Bake:
- Spread the cheesy pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with the oil-coated panko breadcrumbs.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy. For an extra touch, sprinkle the remaining chopped bacon on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the bacon to crisp up further and infuse its flavor into the topping.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. The aroma will be intoxicating—creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and the delightful hint of thyme filling the air. Scoop a generous portion onto each plate and enjoy the richness and depth of flavor in every bite.
Notes
- Bacon Alternatives: While crispy bacon is a standout in this recipe, you can easily swap it for pancetta or prosciutto for a slightly different flavor. Both options will add a deliciously salty, savory element to the dish.
- Cheese Variations: Gruyère is the star cheese in this dish, but feel free to mix in other cheeses such as fontina, gouda, or even a bit of blue cheese for a unique twist. Just be sure to maintain the balance between sharp and creamy cheeses.
- Make It Lighter: For a lighter version of this dish, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk. Additionally, using a lower-fat cheese like part-skim mozzarella can help reduce the richness while still maintaining a cheesy, creamy texture.
- Spicy Twist: If you like a bit of heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or even add a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.
- Vegan Version: To make this recipe vegan-friendly, use plant-based bacon or smoked tempeh, a dairy-free butter substitute, and vegan cheeses such as cashew cheese or almond-based cheese options.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Whether you’re serving it as a comforting side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or as a main course on a cozy night in, this recipe transforms macaroni and cheese into an unforgettable experience. The blend of rich cheeses, savory bacon, and the fragrant touch of fresh thyme creates layers of flavor that will have your guests (and family) coming back for seconds. So let’s dive into this decadent dish and explore how to make it at home, step-by-step.
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cheese:
- 1 pound Shellbows Pasta (or elbow macaroni)
- 1 pound bacon
- 4 and 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 shallots, diced
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 3 and 3/4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces white extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 6 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar (for color and flavor), grated
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Step-by-Step Instruction
1. Prepare the Oven and Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish and set it aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add salt and the Shellbows pasta (or elbow macaroni). Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes, just enough for it to be al dente—it should still have a firm bite. Drain the pasta and transfer it directly into the prepared baking dish, setting it aside for later.
2. Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it becomes crispy on both sides. This should take around 4 to 5 minutes per side.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Once cooled, chop the bacon into small pieces and set them aside.
3. Caramelize the Shallots and Add Herbs:
- In the same skillet where you cooked the bacon, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced shallots and chopped thyme, cooking for about 5 to 6 minutes until the shallots become soft and nearly translucent. The aroma will be savory and herbaceous—this step adds a depth of flavor to the dish that you won’t want to skip.
4. Make the Cheese Sauce:
- Once the shallots are softened, sprinkle the flour over them, stirring constantly to cook the flour for about 1 minute. This will create a roux that thickens the sauce.
- Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook the sauce, whisking often, until it begins to thicken. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Once the sauce has thickened, whisk in the brown sugar, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and ground nutmeg. These seasonings bring a lovely balance of sweetness, spice, and savory notes to the dish.
5. Finish the Sauce:
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream for extra richness, followed by the grated cheeses: extra sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and sharp cheddar. Fold in half of the chopped bacon at this stage to infuse the sauce with more bacon flavor.
- Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the cooked pasta, stirring gently to combine. The sauce should be rich and luscious, coating every piece of pasta perfectly.
6. Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs with olive oil. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated with the oil. This will help the topping crisp up beautifully when baked.
7. Assemble and Bake:
- Spread the cheesy pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with the oil-coated panko breadcrumbs.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy. For an extra touch, sprinkle the remaining chopped bacon on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the bacon to crisp up further and infuse its flavor into the topping.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. The aroma will be intoxicating—creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and the delightful hint of thyme filling the air. Scoop a generous portion onto each plate and enjoy the richness and depth of flavor in every bite.
Flavor and Texture Profile
The beauty of this Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Gruyère lies in its layers of flavor and contrasting textures. The creamy, velvety cheese sauce is the perfect counterpart to the crisp, salty bacon, while the caramelized shallots add a touch of sweetness and complexity. The nutty Gruyère cheese, with its signature sharpness, stands out as a defining element in the sauce, blending beautifully with the extra sharp cheddar to create a depth of flavor that goes beyond the usual cheese combination.
The pasta itself, cooked just shy of fully tender, absorbs the creamy sauce while maintaining a firm texture that holds up well to baking. Finally, the panko breadcrumb topping, golden and crisp, adds an irresistible crunch that contrasts perfectly with the soft and smooth interior of the dish.
The aroma that fills your kitchen as this macaroni and cheese bakes is a perfect preview of what’s to come—a mouthwatering blend of cheese, bacon, and herbs that beckons you to dive right in.
Tips and Variations
- Bacon Alternatives: While crispy bacon is a standout in this recipe, you can easily swap it for pancetta or prosciutto for a slightly different flavor. Both options will add a deliciously salty, savory element to the dish.
- Cheese Variations: Gruyère is the star cheese in this dish, but feel free to mix in other cheeses such as fontina, gouda, or even a bit of blue cheese for a unique twist. Just be sure to maintain the balance between sharp and creamy cheeses.
- Make It Lighter: For a lighter version of this dish, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk. Additionally, using a lower-fat cheese like part-skim mozzarella can help reduce the richness while still maintaining a cheesy, creamy texture.
- Spicy Twist: If you like a bit of heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or even add a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.
- Vegan Version: To make this recipe vegan-friendly, use plant-based bacon or smoked tempeh, a dairy-free butter substitute, and vegan cheeses such as cashew cheese or almond-based cheese options.
Serving Suggestions
This Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Gruyère makes for an outstanding side dish at holiday feasts, pairing beautifully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or herb-crusted chicken. It also works wonderfully as a standalone main dish, served with a fresh side salad or roasted vegetables to balance out the richness of the cheese.
For a more casual meal, serve it alongside a warm bowl of tomato soup or a crisp green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette to contrast the creamy pasta.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Gruyère is a showstopper. It takes the humble macaroni and cheese and transforms it into something special, making it the perfect dish for celebrations or when you just want to indulge in a little comfort food. The combination of creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and the nutty depth of Gruyère is irresistible, and the crispy breadcrumb topping seals the deal. Whether you’re a mac and cheese purist or a fan of experimenting with bold flavors, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your culinary repertoire.