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Smoky Chipotle Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese

A rich and creamy macaroni and cheese with smoky chipotle, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon for a flavorful twist on a classic comfort dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:

  1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until golden.
  3. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Reduce heat to low and add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and creamy.
  5. Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce, then fold in crumbled bacon.
  6. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra bacon or a sprinkle of chipotle powder.

Notes

You can customize the seasonings to taste.