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Spicy Maple Bacon Mac & Cheese Bake

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A decadent mac and cheese bake with crispy maple bacon and a spicy kick.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook macaroni according to package instructions, then drain.
  2. Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Brush with maple syrup and sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Chop into bits.
  3. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour to create a roux. Gradually add milk while whisking.
  4. Stir in shredded cheese until melted. Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce. Fold in half the bacon bits.
  6. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining bacon. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly.

Notes

You can customize the seasonings to taste.

Find it online: https://thecookingjournal.com/spicy-maple-bacon-mac-cheese/