The best parts of the traditional Italian dish Spaghetti Carbonara are found in this baked mac and cheese: richness from the bacon, creaminess from grated cheese and spice from the black pepper.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 5 min |
| Prep: | 10 min |
| Inactive: | 10 min |
| Cook: | 45 min |
| Yield: | 8 to 12 servings |
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 8 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
- 8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded (about 3 cups)
- 3 ounces Gruyere, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until it is crispy and most of the fat has been rendered, about 15 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate. Pour the fat into a small heat-safe measuring cup. Add enough olive oil to total 1/4 cup of fat. Reserve.
- Carefully wipe out the saucepan (or give it a quick rinse if it is really dirty). Add the half-and-half and 2 teaspoons pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the macaroni and the reserved pasta water to the saucepan and stir to combine. (It will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Season to taste with salt if needed. Gently fold in the bacon and 3/4 of the sliced scallions. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish.
- Toss the bread crumbs with the reserved bacon-fat mixture and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes. Garnish with the remaining scallions and serve.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 10 servings |
| Calories | 627 |
| Total Fat | 42 g |
| Saturated Fat | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Protein | 19 g |
| Cholesterol | 108 mg |
| Sodium | 488 mg |
Reviews
So delicious!! Super easy to make and tastes absolutely delightful. Have made so many times and everyone loves it!
Honestly when 1st reading the ingredients I didn’t notice the 1 lb of cream cheese it called for. I made it anyway as directed with the cream cheese. Extremely disappointed with the sour tang it added . Note to the chef, cream cheese does not belong in mac and cheese.
Very nice recipe, enjoyed the crunch that the breadcrumbs give. was a lot of cheese in it
truly the best toasting mac and cheese I’ve ever ate, I love mac n cheese
Excellent… crumbled bacon tho