Bacon Mac & Cheese

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Bacon Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy pasta bake with smoky bacon, onions, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Cooked on the grill for the ultimate side dish!

Prep Time10

Cook Time45

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bbq mac and cheese, cheesy pasta

Servings:

Calories: 564kcal

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.

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