This doesn’t happen too often around here on $5 Dinners, but it’s happening now. I’m talking about ‘food trends.’ And by ‘food trends,’ I really mean food that I’m currently obsessed with. (And seems that you are too based on your response to these recipes and meals.)

Specifically, I’m referring to “Homemade Macaroni and Cheese” Recipes.

This is the 3rd recipe I’ve shared in the recent past and I just can’t get enough of the creamy, delicious goodness.

This time, I decided to ‘lace’ the bread crumbs with teeny bits of bacon. Because, BACON.

And because I adore bacon and the salty flavor it gives to sauces, I decided to make the creamy, cheesy sauce using the bacon grease as the fat base in the sauce. (You’re welcome! hehe)

Here’s how it goes down…

• Boil the pasta.
• Cook bacon in skillet. Then make cheese sauce in same skillet.
• Then combine pasta and cheese sauce.
• The make ‘bacon-laced’ bread crumbs.
• Assemble and bake until bubbly.
• Devour.

Here are a few other links to homemade macaroni and cheese recipes we’ve got here on $5 Dinners. 🙂

• Homemade Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach and Bacon
• Homemade Macaroni & Cheese with Beef and Bacon
• Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese (this one is cool…you cook the pasta in milk! Check it out!)
• Southwest Macaroni & Cheese (an oldie, but goodie!)

In other news, I have a bacon problem. At least a “adding bacon to homemade macaroni and cheese” problem. {giggle}

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Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon-Laced Bread Crumbs

Because I adore bacon and the salty flavor it gives to sauces, I decided to make the creamy, cheesy sauce using the bacon grease as the fat base in the sauce.

Prep Time20 minutes minutes

Cook Time20 minutes minutes

Servings - 6 servings

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 1 lb. small shell pasta
• 8 slices bacon
• 4 Tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cups cups milk
• 8 oz. cream cheese, cut into small pieces
• 2 cups cheddar or Italian blend shredded cheese
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• Fresh veggies and/or fruit, as side dish

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Boil the pasta as directed. Drain well.
• In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Set aside to drain. Chop into tiny pieces and set aside.
• Pour off a little of the bacon grease, but you want 2-3 Tbspto stay in the skillet. Add the flour to the skillet and whisk with the bacon grease. Quickly pour in the milk, whisking well to prevent lumping. Once incorporated, addin the cream cheese cubes, stirring constantly until it melts into the sauce. Bring the sauce to bubbling.
• In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and chopped bacon.
• Pour the pasta into the baking dish, then pour the cheesy sauce over the top. Gently combine and mix together. Add the 2 cups of shredded cheese on top, then add the bacon-laced bread crumbs to the very top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted.
• Serve Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon-Laced Bread Crumbs with some fruit and veggies.