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Homemade baked mac and cheese with golden, crispy topping and creamy pasta underneath.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon, this baked mac and cheese takes comfort food to the next level. Topped with bacon, it’s a hearty dish that’s perfect for family dinners, holidays, or potlucks.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 660
Ingredients Equipment Method Video

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz pasta shells, elbows, or penne all work
  • 9 slices of bacon or more—no judgment here!
  • 2.5 cups heavy cream
  • ½ lb Gouda cheese shredded; smoked Gouda works beautifully
  • 3 oz Parmigiano Reggiano grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • Pinch of paprika
  • Sea salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional but recommended: extra bacon bits sprinkled on top before baking.

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. Cook the Pasta
  2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta until just al dente. This ensures it won’t get mushy during baking. Drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Bacon
  4. In a skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Remove from the pan, drain on paper towels, then chop into small pieces.
  5. Make the Sauce Base
  6. In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, garlic, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. This creates the flavorful base for the cheese sauce.
  7. Assemble the Dish
  8. Place cooked pasta in a greased baking dish.
  9. Add shredded Gouda, mixing until it starts to melt.
  10. Stir in chopped bacon and pour the cream mixture over everything.
  11. Mix well so every bite is cheesy and smoky.
  12. Sprinkle Parmigiano Reggiano evenly on top.
  13. (Optional) Add a little more bacon on top for extra crunch.
  14. Bake to Perfection
  15. Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes until bubbling and golden brown on top.
  16. Rest & Serve
  17. Allow the dish to rest for 5–10 minutes before scooping. This helps the sauce thicken and ensures perfect servings.

Video