Cheesy baked mac and cheese with bacon is the ultimate comfort food. Imagine a bubbling casserole of creamy three-cheese sauce clinging to perfectly cooked macaroni, all topped with a golden, crispy breadcrumb layer—and yes, smoky bacon in every bite. This hearty dish is everything you crave in a mac and cheese: rich, cheesy, crunchy on top, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re making it for Sunday dinner, a potluck, or a cozy night in, it’s guaranteed to impress. With a few smart techniques and real ingredients, this isn’t just mac and cheese. It’s next-level comfort.

Table of Contents

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

🥓 Bacon in Every Bite – Crispy, smoky, salty flavor boost
🧀 Three-Cheese Blend – Cheddar, Monterey Jack & Parmesan = creamy, gooey perfection
🍞 Golden Topping – Buttery breadcrumbs + bacon = irresistible crunch
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Favorite – Great for gatherings, holidays, or weeknight dinners
🧑‍🍳 Flexible & Foolproof – Substitutions welcome; no fancy skills needed

🧾 Ingredients

For the Pasta & Cheese Sauce

1 lb large elbow macaroni
1 tbsp kosher salt (for pasta water)
⅓ cup unsalted butter
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup buttermilk (room temp)
12 oz extra-sharp cheddar, shredded
4 oz Monterey Jack or provolone, shredded
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp black pepper
1½ tsp kosher salt
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

For the Topping

¾ cup fresh breadcrumbs (or Panko)
2 oz Parmesan, shredded
Half of the crumbled bacon from above

For Baking Dish

Butter, for greasing
13×9” baking dish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt and pasta.
Cook macaroni for 6 minutes—just until al dente.
Reserve 2 cups of pasta water. Drain pasta and return to pot. Cover to keep warm.

Step 2: Prep the Baking Dish & Topping

Generously grease your 13×9” dish with butter.
In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and half the bacon. Set aside.

Step 3: Warm the Milk & Mix Dry Ingredients

In a saucepan, heat milk and buttermilk until steaming, not boiling.
In a small bowl, mix flour, pepper, mustard, and salt.

Step 4: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a large saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour mixture and cook 2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in warm milk mixture. Increase heat and cook until thickened (~3 mins).
Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheeses until melted.
Quickly whisk in the beaten eggs.

Step 5: Combine Pasta & Sauce

Add pasta and remaining bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir until coated.
Use reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.

Step 6: Add Topping & Bake

Sprinkle breadcrumb-Parmesan-bacon mix over top.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving.

📋 Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour
Servings: 8–10
Difficulty: Medium
Cuisine: American
Category: Dinner, Casserole, Comfort Food

🍽 Nutrition Facts (Estimate per serving)

Calories: ~500
Protein: ~18g
Fat: ~22g
Carbs: ~50g

Based on 9 servings. Values will vary depending on substitutions.

💡 Tips & Variations

⏳ Don’t Overcook Pasta – It’ll finish baking in the oven
🔥 Smooth Cheese Sauce – Let milk cool slightly before adding cheese
🧊 Make Ahead – Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking
🧀 Cheese Swap Ideas – Gruyère, Fontina, or Gouda all melt beautifully
🥬 Vegetarian? – Skip the bacon or replace with sautéed mushrooms
🍞 Breadcrumb Variations – Try crushed Ritz or cornflakes for a twist

❓ FAQs

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
It’s not recommended—pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly due to added starches.

Can I freeze baked mac and cheese?
Yes! Portion into containers and freeze up to 3 months. Reheat in oven or microwave with a splash of milk.

Why add eggs to the sauce?
Eggs add richness and help the sauce set up slightly, creating a custard-like texture that holds up beautifully when baked.

How long will leftovers keep?
Up to 4 days in the fridge, tightly covered. Reheat in oven for best texture.

Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Creamy baked mac and cheese with a three-cheese blend, crispy bacon, and golden breadcrumb topping. Pure comfort in a casserole dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Servings: 6

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 501

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

**For Pasta & Sauce:**
– 1 lb elbow macaroni
– 1 tbsp kosher salt
– ⅓ cup butter
– ⅓ cup flour
– 3 cups whole milk
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 12 oz extra-sharp cheddar shredded
– 4 oz Monterey Jack shredded
– 2 eggs beaten
– 1 tsp dry mustard
– 1 tsp pepper
– 1½ tsp kosher salt
– 6 slices thick-cut bacon cooked & crumbled
**For Topping:**
– ¾ cup breadcrumbs
– 2 oz Parmesan shredded
– Half the bacon above
**For Dish:**
– Butter for greasing
– 13×9” baking dish

Equipment

– Large pot
Saucepan
– 13×9” baking dish
Mixing bowls
Whisk

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta 6 mins in salted water. Reserve 2 cups pasta water.
Butter 13×9” dish. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan & half the bacon. Set aside.
Heat milk & buttermilk until steaming. In separate bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, mustard.
Melt butter in pan. Stir in flour mixture. Cook 2 mins.
Slowly whisk in milk. Cook until thick. Remove from heat, add cheese, then eggs.
Combine pasta, cheese sauce, and remaining bacon. Spread in dish.
Top with breadcrumb mixture. Bake 35–40 mins until golden.
Rest 10 mins before serving.

Notes

– Substitute bacon with ham or mushrooms.
– Make ahead and refrigerate unbaked up to 24 hours.
– Use freshly shredded cheese for smoothest sauce.

🧁 Conclusion

This cheesy baked mac and cheese with bacon is the definition of comfort food done right. It’s creamy, cheesy, crunchy on top, and packed with smoky bacon flavor in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something cozy, this baked version will never disappoint. Pair it with a crisp salad, roasted veggies, or BBQ meats—and don’t forget to save a scoop for leftovers!