Savory Bacon Mac And Cheese Recipes

MAC AND CHEESE WAFFLES WITH BACON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour bacon fat into a heatproof container (save for another use) and wipe the skillet clean with paper towels.
• Melt the butter in the large skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until tan in color, about 1 minute. Add the milk and bring up to a simmer, whisking every couple of minutes, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add the three cheeses in batches, whisking after each addition, until melted. Remove from the heat.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente, then drain. Transfer to a large bowl, add 3/4 of the cheese sauce and 3/4 of the cooked bacon and stir to combine. Pour onto a rimmed baking sheet, spread it to the edges and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve the remaining cheese sauce for serving.
• Preheat your waffle iron to medium high. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and add enough mac and cheese to cover most of the iron. Press down hard to squeeze the waffle iron shut (don't worry if some mac and cheese falls out). Cook until golden brown, about 4 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, reheat the reserved cheese sauce over low heat. Plate the waffle with a side of cheese sauce and garnish with some of the remaining bacon. Repeat with the remaining mac and cheese.

BACON CHEESE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Coat 24 muffin cups with cooking spray.
• Mix flour, Cheddar cheese, baking powder, garlic salt, and black pepper together in a large bowl.
• Beat eggs, milk, and vegetable oil together in a small bowl; stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Gently fold bacon through the batter. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.

BACON MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Combine cheeses. Bring 1-1/2 cups milk just to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat. Whisk flour and remaining milk in small bowl until blended; gradually whisk into heated milk. Cook 2 to 3 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
• Add 1-1/2 cups cheese mixture; stir until melted. Stir in pasta, macaroni and bacon.
• Spoon into 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheese mixture and bread crumbs.
• Bake 12 to 15 min. or until macaroni mixture is heated through and bread crumbs are lightly browned.