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Bacon Crusted Beer Mac and Cheese

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 393kcal
Author: Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes
This Bacon Crusted Beer Mac and Cheese is a double cheesy pasta bathed in a beer sauce and topped with a cheese and bacon crust.  The true definition of comfort food!
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1-1/2 cups milk
  • 12 ounces beer
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2-1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 16 ounces macaroni prepared and drained
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 recipe Oven Roasted Bacon prepared

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Add butter to a medium sized saucepan.   Over medium heat, melt butter.
  • Add flour to saucepan.  Whisk in flour and cook until bubbly and golden in color.
  • Add milk and beer to saucepan and whisk to combine.
  • Add cheddar and 1-1/2 cups Parmesan cheese to saucepan.
  • Stir together to combine. Lower heat to medium and continue to stir, cooking for 5-6 minutes while mixture thickens.
  • Add paprika, pepper, garlic powder, salt and nutmeg.
  •  Stir together to combine.
  • Add prepared and drained macaroni to sauce. 
    TIP:  I like to cook my macaroni a minute or two shy of the box instructions to insure it will hold up to the sauce and not become mushy!
  •  Gently stir together until completely combined.
  • Pour macaroni and sauce mixture into greased 9″ x 13″ baking pan.
    TIP:  Want to add even more flavor to your mac and cheese?  I like to use the drippings from the Oven Roasted Bacon to grease my baking dish.  A super easy way to add an extra layer of flavor!
  • In a small bowl, add Panko bread crumbs and crumbled Oven Roasted Bacon. 
  • Stir together to combine.
  • Top macaroni and cheese with an even layer of the Panko and bacon mixture.
  • Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over top of macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for five minutes before serving.

Notes

Adapted from How Sweet Eats.

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 1.4mg