If You Want to Step Up Your Mac-and-Cheese Game, Bacon Is the Answer

Smoky bacon punches the flavor up in this mac and cheese that doesn't skimp on the cheese sauce. Christopher Testani/TNS

Mac and cheese is already a pretty perfect food, but sometimes you just feel like gilding the lily. Should you find yourself wanting to up your mac and cheese game, I’m here to tell you that bacon is the answer.

This classic mac and cheese is loaded with bacon flavor, thanks to a combination of bacon fat and crispy bacon. It’s stick-to-your-ribs food that’s both comforting and a crowd-pleaser.

What Ingredients Do I Need for Bacon Mac and Cheese?

Plenty of Bacon: Don’t skimp! You need 12 ounces to get enough bacon-y flavor. I prefer regular over thick-cut here because the bacon cooks up thin and crispy, which is a nice contrast to the soft, cheesy pasta. And we’re not wasting the precious bacon fat. It serves as the base for the cheese sauce.