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Macaroni & Cheese - From Scratch

Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 1 # large elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
  • 1 # Shredded Sharp Cheddar
  • 1 # Shredded Colby/Jack Cheese
  • 6-8 strips of bacon
  • 2 Tbsp of the bacon grease
  • 1 Tbsp of butter
  • ¼ cup minced onion
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 cup whole milk or half & half
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Creole Seasoning
  • 1-2 cups coarse bread crumbs or potato chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
  • Grate your own cheese from a block, the pre-shredded stuff doesn’t melt as well.
  • Start a pot of 4 quarts water to boiling with 1-2 Tbsp of salt.
  • Pour the milk and let it sit out to come to room temperature.
  • Cook the macaroni or rotini to al dente
  • Start frying the bacon in a large skillet, we want it done but not crisp.
  • While the pasta is cooking and the bacon is frying, mince the onion
  • Remove the bacon when done & sauté the onion in the grease until soft.
  • Chop the bacon up into bacon bit pieces.
  • When the pasta is finished, drain, rinse, and pour into a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the butter to the skillet to melt, and then add the flour.
  • Stir constantly until the flour takes on a tan color.
  • Whisk the milk into the roux, adding a little bit at a time.
  • Bring it back to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
  • Reduce to low heat, add the seasoning and the mustard.
  • Stir in 80-90% of the shredded cheese, a little at a time, and stir until melted.
  • Add the bacon back to the cheese sauce and stir through.
  • Add the cheese sauce to the pasta and mix well.
  • Put the mac and cheese into your casserole dish(s).
  • Top with the remaining cheese and the bread crumbs.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown.