Bacon Mac and Cheese with Cheesy Ranch Sauce

This recipe for bacon mac and cheese combines a creamy, homemade white sauce with bite-size chunks of crispy bacon. The white béchamel sauce is a blend of white cheddar, cream cheese, and tangy ranch dressing. The result is a thick, creamy pasta sauce that coats the macaroni noodles perfectly. Oven-baked until golden brown and bubbling, this mac and cheese is a Southern-style treat.   

 

The Perfect Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole

Good enough to be the main course, perfect as a side dish, this bacon ranch mac and cheese combines three of our favorite and most decadent flavors in one cheesy dish. This sauce is nice and creamy with a fun twist thanks to incorporating ranch seasoning into a traditional bechamel sauce. The crumbled bacon puts it over the edge – bacon is always a good thing!

By baking this in the oven, you get a deliciously crispy crust—especially if you add extra cheese! If you want to really elevate your sauce you can swap out store-bought ranch for this creamy buttermilk ranch dressing. This is one of those recipes I reach for when I’m looking for something fun and comforting. Sometimes something warm and cheesy is all the comfort food you need! 

The key to this delicious mac is to have the bacon cooked, not crispy. You can also add some of the bacon drippings into the sauce for an extra dose of bacon-y goodness. If you want to amp up your mac and cheese, you can add shredded rotisserie chicken and make Buffalo chicken mac. Some of my other favorite ways to make a mac and cheese dinner are with kielbasa for a savory smokiness or hamburger chili mac for a little extra spice.

I like to serve this with a refreshing spinach salad or this Greek cucumber salad to balance all the different types of cheese going on. Somehow I can justify all that creamy goodness when I add a salad.

How To Make Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

• Choose Your Own Cheese – While I went with traditional sharp cheddar, there’s really no wrong way to make mac and cheese. You can choose a blend of favorites like gruyere, sharp cheddar, provolone, or whatever else you like! 
• Picky Eater Friendly – While there are always exceptions, bacon, cheese, and cooked macaroni are typically beloved by all. By combining all three into one dish, you’ve got something that even your pickiest eater will love! 
• Ranch Flavor – Our favorite condiment gets the star treatment! The tangy flavor helps balance the richness of the cheese and the saltiness of the bacon. 

Ingredients For Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese

Pasta – Elbow macaroni is a classic, but you can use any short noodle here. I recommend shells, orecchiette, or a ridged pasta so that the cheese sauce clings to the noodles. 

Bacon – You can use regular or thick-cut bacon. Make it even more interesting by trying pepper bacon or applewood smoked bacon. You will need it to be cooked and crumbled into bite-size pieces. 

Seasoning – You’ll need dry mustard, salt, and black pepper, add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want some heat.

Condiments – One cup of store-bought or homemade ranch dressing and some hot sauce. 

Dairy – Butter, whole milk, and heavy cream are needed to make the sauce.

Flour – Just two tablespoons of flour are needed for the roux. 

Cheese – You’ll need at least 16 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese or your cheese of choice. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese, it won’t melt as whell.

What Else Can I Add?

A great addition would be some green things! Some diced green onion, or finely chopped broccoli if you want to sneak in some veggies.

How To Make Homemade Mac and Cheese With Bacon

Step One: Cook Bacon

Cook the bacon until it is done, but not crispy and place on paper towels to drain. When cool, cut into ½ inch pieces and set aside. 

PRO TIP: My favorite way to cook bacon is on a rimmed baking sheet in a 400º oven for 15-20 minutes depending on your desired crispiness level and then place it on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step Two: Boil Noodles

Cook pasta in salted water per al dente package directions. Drain and return to pot.

Step Three: Make Roux

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, dry mustard, salt, and pepper, and cook for a minute. Warm the milk and cream in the microwave. Slowly add to the butter flour mixture whisking constantly until it is incorporated. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer and cook for an additional 2 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s thin, but coats the back of a spoon. 

Step Four: Finish Bechamel Sauce

Add the ranch dressing and hot sauce to the roux and whisk until combined. Slowly add all but one cup of the cheese and whisk until melted, then add the cooked bacon.

Step Five: Assemble Casserole

Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir until coated. Place in a dutch oven, large skillet, or other baking dish and sprinkle some reserved bacon on top. (You can also add extra cheese here too!)

Step Six: Bake

Bake until the cheese has melted on top and is bubbly around the edges. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. It will thicken as it cools.

A Few Tips For Homemade Mac and Cheese

• Always freshly grate your own cheese. While the pre-shredded stuff is convenient, it often has additives that leads to a less creamy sauce. 
• Since you’ll be baking the mac and cheese, make sure to cook the noodles to just under al dente. As the noodles bake in the oven, they’ll continue to cook and absorb the cheese sauce. If you overcook the noodles in the first step, your final dish may be mushy. 
• Always save a little extra cheese to sprinkle on top as it finishes baking. Let it broil for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown for a perfect crust. 

More Mac & Cheese Recipes To Try

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