Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese

Budget Menu & Dirt Cheap Recipes Dirt Cheap Dinners Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #598074
      okemasez

      Today’s recipe is quick, easy, and totally yummy. I always seek out quick and easy lunchtime recipes for my boys. It combines two of my favorite foods: cheese and bacon. Best thing ever!
      For an even more amazing treat, serve it over French fries; It’s too die for!

      Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese

      creamy bacon macaroni n cheese
      Ingredients:
      3 cups heavy whipping cream
      2 cups cheddar cheese (from a block, don’t use the pre-shredded kind!)
      salt and pepper to taste
      3/4 pound diced up bacon
      1 pound of elbow or corkscrew pasta

      1. Put on a big pot of water up to boil and salt it generously. Stir in the pasta and cook according to the instructions on the package. Drain and return to the empty pot.
      2. In a large pan, add your diced up bacon pieces and saute until brown and crispy. When the bacon is done, remove it and put it on some paper towels to drain.
      3. In the same pan, add the heavy whipping cream. Bring it to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer until the cream thickens.
      4. Add the cheddar cheese and cooked bacon pieces to the thickened heavy whipping cream. Cook over medium-high heat until all the cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.
      5. Stir the bacon/cheese/whipping cream sauce into the pasta. Let simmer for a few minutes so the sauce can thicken up.
      6. Serve and enjoy!

      Love this Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese Recipe? Pin it!

      creamy mac n cheese bacon

      Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese Recipe- Print Now

      creamy bacon macaroni n cheese
      cropped b101 header logo

      Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese

      Budget101.com by Melissa 'Liss' Burnell
      Delicious & Easy Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese- for an amazing treat- serve it over crispy french fries or tater tots!

      Add to Collection

      Prep Time 5 minutes
      Cook Time 20 minutes
      0 minutes
      Total Time 25 minutes

      Course Dinner, Main Course
      Cuisine American

      Servings 6
      Calories 1104 kcal

      Ingredients

        

      Instructions

       

      • Put on a big pot of water up to boil and salt it generously. Stir in the pasta and cook according to the instructions on the package. Drain and return to the empty pot.
        1 pound elbow macaroni
      • In a large pan, add your diced up bacon pieces and saute until brown and crispy. When the bacon is done, remove it and put it on some paper towels to drain.
        3/4 pound diced up bacon
      • In the same pan, add the heavy whipping cream. Bring it to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer until the cream thickens.
        3 cups heavy whipping cream
      • Add the cheddar cheese and cooked bacon pieces to the thickened heavy whipping cream. Cook over medium-high heat until all the cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.
        2 cups cheddar cheese
      • Stir the bacon/cheese/whipping cream sauce into the pasta. Let simmer for a few minutes so the sauce can thicken up.
        salt and pepper to taste
      Recipe Size Alteration Note

      If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1gCalories: 1104kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 41gFat: 77gSaturated Fat: 42gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 228mgSodium: 1236mgPotassium: 594mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2148IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 367mgIron: 2mgNet Carbs: 60g
      Tried this recipe?Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101com!

      Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese

      Delicious & Easy Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese- for an amazing treat- serve it over crispy french fries or tater tots!

      • 3 cups heavy whipping cream
      • 2 cups cheddar cheese (from a block, don’t use the pre-shredded kind!)
      • salt and pepper to taste
      • 3/4 pound diced up bacon
      • 1 pound elbow macaroni
      1. Put on a big pot of water up to boil and salt it generously. Stir in the pasta and cook according to the instructions on the package. Drain and return to the empty pot.
      2. In a large pan, add your diced up bacon pieces and saute until brown and crispy. When the bacon is done, remove it and put it on some paper towels to drain.
      3. In the same pan, add the heavy whipping cream. Bring it to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer until the cream thickens.
      4. Add the cheddar cheese and cooked bacon pieces to the thickened heavy whipping cream. Cook over medium-high heat until all the cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.
      5. Stir the bacon/cheese/whipping cream sauce into the pasta. Let simmer for a few minutes so the sauce can thicken up.
      Dinner, Main Course
      American
      bacon, cheese, mac-n-cheese, pasta
      bacon, pasta

      Attachments:
      You must be logged in to view attached files.
    • #604270
      Melissa Burnell

      You can take this a step further and enjoy the leftovers in amazing fried eggrolls!

      homemade bacon mac n cheese eggrolls

      You’ll need about 1/3 cup of bacon mac-n-cheese per eggroll.

      irish eggrolls step 1

      Just open a package of eggroll wrappers, spoon a hearty helping into the center of the wrapper, fold one edge over the filling. Fold the ends in and use a dab of water to seal the raw dough.

      irish eggrolls step 4

      Finally, finish rolling until the eggroll is secure and then seal it shut with another dab of water.

      irish eggrolls step 5

      Repeat until you have as many eggrolls as you want/need. Deep fry for 2-4 minutes, or until golden brown.

      bacon mac n cheese eggrolls

      The raw eggrolls can be frozen, then vacuum sealed to ensure freshness. They’ll take an extra couple of minutes to cook if you try to fry them while frozen. Serve with a bit of horseradish sauce or queso.

       

      Attachments:
      You must be logged in to view attached files.
    • #616742
      Melissa Burnell

      Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese

      This recipe is quick, easy, and utterly delicious. If you’re looking for a comforting, cheesy, bacon-packed dish, you’ve come to the right place! It’s great as a standalone dish but can be taken to the next level by serving it over crispy French fries or tater tots. Perfect for lunch or dinner, and a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike!


      Ingredients & Prices (Walmart Prices as of October 2024):

      • 3 cups heavy whipping cream – $3.00
        Alternative: If you’re watching costs, you could use half-and-half ($2.50) or whole milk ($1.50), though the sauce won’t be as thick and creamy.
      • 2 cups cheddar cheese (from a block) – $3.00
        Tip: Avoid pre-shredded cheese because it contains anti-caking agents that don’t melt as well. A block of cheddar will give you that perfect, creamy melt.
      • Salt and pepper to taste – $0.00 (pantry item)
      • 3/4 pound diced up bacon (about 12 oz) – $4.00
        Alternative: For a budget-friendly version, you could use turkey bacon ($3.00), or cut back to 1/2 lb bacon ($2.50) without losing too much flavor.
      • 1 pound of elbow or corkscrew pasta – $1.00
        Alternative: Any pasta shape will work, so use whatever you have on hand—penne, rotini, or bow ties. They’re all good for soaking up the sauce.

      Instructions:

      1. Boil the Pasta:
        Bring a large pot of water to a boil, generously salting it. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
      2. Cook the Bacon:
        In a large skillet, sauté the diced bacon pieces until browned and crispy. Remove the bacon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
      3. Prepare the Sauce:
        In the same pan, using the bacon drippings, add the heavy whipping cream. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the cream begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
        Tip: Stir frequently to avoid scorching the cream.
      4. Add Cheese & Bacon:
        Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Return the cooked bacon to the pan, mixing it into the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
      5. Combine with Pasta:
        Pour the bacon-cheese sauce over the cooked pasta, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
      6. Serve:
        Plate the Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese and enjoy immediately. For an extra indulgent twist, serve it over crispy French fries or tater tots. Trust me, it’s heavenly!

      Estimated Cost:

      $11.00 (based on ingredient prices at Walmart)

      Servings: 6


      Additional Tips:

      • For Extra Crunch: Top your creamy mac and cheese with toasted breadcrumbs before serving.
      • Vegetarian Version: Skip the bacon and add sautéed veggies like broccoli or mushrooms.
      • Spice It Up: Add some red pepper flakes or drizzle a bit of hot sauce over the top for a bit of heat.

      Enjoy this budget-friendly, bacon-filled pasta dish that’s perfect for any day of the week! This recipe offers comfort food at its finest, and with a few budget swaps, you can still keep the flavors bold and rich.


      Pin this recipe for later!

      Love this Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese? Be sure to share it or pin it for easy access.

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

Budget Menu & Dirt Cheap Recipes Dirt Cheap Dinners Creamy Bacon Macaroni-n-Cheese