Bacon-Cheddar Twist on Classic Mac and Cheese

Name: Bacon-Cheddar Twist on Classic Mac and Cheese
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked; 3 tbsp butter or margarine; 2 tbsp flour; 2 cups milk; 2 cups KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese; 3 slices OSCAR MAYER Center Cut Bacon, cooked and crumbled

Elevate your comfort food favorite by adding crispy bacon and rich cheddar to classic mac and cheese. This quick and easy oven-baked dish will leave you wanting more.

Recipe Info

Prep Time

60 min

Difficulty

Easy

Servings

Nutrition

calories631kcal

carbohydrates45g

fat37g

protein30g

Dinner American

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked

3 tbsp butter or margarine

2 tbsp flour

2 cups milk

2 cups KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

3 slices OSCAR MAYER Center Cut Bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

Preheat the oven to 175 °C (350 °F).

In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Cook elbow macaroni until tender yet firm, approximately 8 minutes. Drain and keep warm.

Simultaneously, in a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in flour and cook until the mixture becomes paste-like and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until thick and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheddar and cook until melted, around 5 minutes.

Combine macaroni, bacon, and sauce in the saucepan. Adjust with additional milk if needed for even coating. Pour the mixture into a 1.5-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling hot, approximately 20 minutes.