Loaded Mac and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this Loaded Mac and Cheese, where creamy goodness meets crispy bacon, fresh green onions, and a blend of flavorful cheeses, all baked to golden perfection. It's a versatile dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings, promising smiles and satisfied taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry elbow macaroni 1 box
- 10 slices bacon
- 2 links Italian Sausage
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter divided 1 stick
- ¼ cup minced shallots
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- 3¼ cups whole milk at room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream at room temperature
- 4-5 cups of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided into two
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon of garlic salt
- Chopped green onion and/or parsley optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, fry the bacon in a large cast-iron (or other oven-safe) skillet until crispy.
- Remove the bacon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Wipe out the pan.
- Add the sausage.
- With your spatula, break it up and cook for a few minutes.
- Once cooked, remove from the pan and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Melt the butter in a skillet. Add the shallots along with a sprinkle of salt. Sauté for a few minutes until softened. Next, add in the garlic.
- Stir in the flour until your mixture becomes a pasty roux.
- Over low-medium heat, gradually pour in the milk as you whisk the mixture. Continue to whisk until the mixture has significantly thickened.
- Now whisk in the sour cream, being sure to completely blend.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Next, add 3 cups of cheddar cheese. Stir the mixture until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated.
- Add the elbow pasta to the skillet. Stir to coat the pasta well.
- Crumble the bacon and stir half of the crumbles into the macaroni.
- Using a skillet or small saucepan, melt the remaining three tablespoons of butter on medium heat.
- Now add your Italian breadcrumbs and garlic salt. Be sure to stir until toasted and golden brown.
- For finishing touches, top the elbow macaroni with the remaining cheese and bacon as well as the Italian breadcrumbs.
- Bake your masterpiece for 15 minutes. You will see that the mixture is bubbly and crispy on its edges.
- Garnish with chopped green onion or parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 918kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 34gFat: 58gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 1005mgPotassium: 529mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1206IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 588mgIron: 2mg
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you're using with each recipe.
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