Bacon Cheddar Baked Mac and Cheese

hangryeconomist.com

This bacon cheddar baked mac and cheese is the kind of recipe you pull out for a special occasion--Thanksgiving, Christmas, parties, and super crappy days when you need the most comforting of comfort foods. It's loaded with bacon, cheddar, gouda, and a buttery crisp topping.

Key Ingredients

Elbow Macaroni Bacon Sharp Cheddar Cheese Cream Cheese Gouda Ritz Crackers Butter

Step 1

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Step 2

Step 2

Add chicken broth, milk, and pasta to a pot. Cook until the pasta is slightly less cooked than al dente

Step 3

Step 3

Turn the heat to low and add the cream cheese, cheddar, gouda, spices, milk and bacon. Cook until the cheese is melted.

Step 4

Step 4

Add the Ritz crackers to a plastic baggie and crush them into small pieces. Add the melted butter and shake the bag to coat the crackers.

Step 5

Step 5

Add the macaroni mixture to the bottom of a 9"x13" casserole dish.

Step 6

Step 6

Top with the other 12 ounces of the cheddar cheese, then with the crushed Ritz crackers.

Step 7

Step 7

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the crackers are golden brown. Enjoy!

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?

A: Any tubular pasta works well. Just keep in mind that different pasta shapes cook at different rates and soak up liquid differently.

Q: What can I use in place of the Ritz crackers?

A: Any other buttery cracker would work well. You can also use Panko breadcrumbs.

Looking for another recipe? 

Try our creamy red pepper and tomato pasta!