Bacon Mac and Cheese
Bacon Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food made right on the grill. Smoky bacon, creamy cheese sauce, and a drizzle of barbecue sauce come together in this easy side dish that’s always a crowd favorite.
If you are looking for the perfect side for cookouts, game day, or any night you want something extra cheesy and delicious, add this bacon and onion mac and cheese to your list to make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Loaded with smoky bacon, caramelized onions and gooey cheese.
- Easy to make ahead and finish on the grill.
- The drizzle of BBQ sauce takes it over the top.
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Petit Jean Meats has been a family owned, Arkansas business since 1928. Use their Store Locator or Shop Online to have it delivered right to your front door!
Ingredients for Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Cellentani pasta or macaroni
- Butter
- All purpose flour
- Milk
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Petit Jean Meats Bacon
- Onion
- Granulated garlic
- Dried rosemary
- Dried thyme
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- BBQ sauce
Step By Step Instructions Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add cellentani pasta and cook for 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon & onion: On a griddle or in a large skillet, cook bacon and onions until bacon is crisp and onions are caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a large pan, whisk in flour, and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in granulated garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until thickened.
- Add the cheese: Remove from the heat and stir in Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine everything: Add cooked pasta, caramelized onion, and half of the bacon into the cheese sauce, stirring to mix well.
- Prepare for grilling Pour into a foil pan, top with remaining bacon, and drizzle with BBQ sauce.
- Grill: Place the pan on a preheated grill at 350° and cook for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Recipe Notes
- Oven Method: Mac and cheese can be baked in the oven at 350° for 25- 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
- Cheese: Try adding smoked gouda, pepper-jack or cheddar cheese for a different flavor.
- Make Ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just cover with aluminum foil and grill or bake when ready to serve.
Bacon Mac and Cheese is one of those recipes that never disappoints. The smoky bacon, creamy cheese sauce, and sweet BBQ sauce will have everyone going back for seconds.
Give this Bacon Mac and Cheese a try on your grill and let me know how much your crowd loves it—don’t forget to leave a comment and a rating below!
Bacon Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Petit Jean Meats Bacon
- 1 onion
- 12 ounces cellentani pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups monterey jack cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- ¼ cup Out Grilling Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce or homemade bbq sauce
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add cellentani pasta and cook for 4 – 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- On a griddle or in a large skillet, cook bacon and onions until bacon is crisp and onions are caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large pan, whisk in flour, and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk. Stir in granulated garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until thickened.
- Remove from the heat and stir in Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta, caramelized onion, and half of the bacon into the cheese sauce, stirring to mix well.
- Pour into a foil pan, top with remaining bacon, and drizzle with BBQ sauce.
- Place the pan on a preheated grill at 350° and cook for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Oven Method: Mac and cheese can be baked in the oven at 350° for 25- 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
- Cheese: Try adding smoked gouda or cheddar cheese for a different flavor.
- Make Ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just cover with foil and grill or bake when ready to serve.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Cook in a pan over medium heat, add 1- 2 tablespoons of milk, stirring until heated through.
Nutrition
