Sheet Pan Mac Cheese Bacon (Print Version)

Creamy baked macaroni with a crispy bacon topping, offering rich flavors and crunchy edges.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 pound elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk
05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Bacon Crumble

15 - 6 slices thick-cut bacon
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease an 18x13 inch rimmed sheet pan.
02 - Boil macaroni in salted water, cooking 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute until bubbling without browning.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
05 - Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
06 - Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until fully melted and smooth.
07 - Add drained pasta to cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat evenly.
08 - Transfer mac and cheese mixture evenly onto prepared sheet pan.
09 - Fry bacon slices in skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside.
10 - Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Stir in crumbled bacon and chopped parsley, if using.
11 - Sprinkle bacon crumble mixture evenly over mac and cheese in sheet pan.
12 - Bake at 425°F for 18 to 22 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
13 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to set.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Creamy and comforting texture
  • Crunchy bacon topping for extra flavor
02 -
  • Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor
  • Do not overcook macaroni before baking to avoid mushy texture
03 -
  • Use a mix of cheeses for depth of flavor
  • Let the dish rest before serving to thicken up nicely
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