Macaroni and Cheese
This is the best Macaroni and Cheese! It has everything that makes macaroni and cheese so good – sharp cheddar, bacon, onions, and a crunchy topping.
Course
Main Dishes
,
Side Dish
Servings
Prep Time
8
servings
10
minutes
Cook Time
40
minutes
Servings
Prep Time
8
servings
10
minutes
Cook Time
40
minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
1
lb
elbow macaroni
4
slices
bacon
2
medium onions
diced (approximately 2 cups)
2
cloves
garlic
diced
4
cups
milk
4
cups
sharp cheddar cheese
shredded
1/4
tsp
thyme
1/8
cup
flour
salt and pepper
to taste
Crunchy Panko Topping
1
Tbsp
butter
melted
1
cup
Panko bread crumbs
1/4
cup
Parmesan cheese
grated or shredded
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions, set aside.
Cut the bacon into small chunks and cook in a large pot, remove the bacon and save the residual fat.
In a separate sauce pan, begin warming the milk.
In the same pot you used for the bacon, cook the diced onion until it becomes translucent. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
Add the flour to create a roux. Slowly whisk in the warmed milk and thyme and let simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.
Remove from heat and slowly add the shredded cheese. Add the pasta and bacon and pour into a 13” by 9” baking dish.
Make the topping by mixing the melted butter, Panko bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture over the macaroni mixture.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned.