Easy Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe

This Easy Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese is the answer to your dinner-time woos. A home-style classic made with bacon and salsa. The perfect comfort food to bring along to an autumn potluck or weekend party! 

Easy Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Total Time: 1 Hour, 15 Minutes Servings: 8 Servings

Mac & Cheese is the dinner recipe of choice for my kids. It is the ultimate comfort food. If it were up to them, we would have a different variety every single night. They love it so much that I have learned quickly to develop healthy versions of their favorite meal.

This Easy Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe takes simple ingredients that you would have on hand already and turns it into a family favorite meal. I’m so excited to share this recipe with you guys! 

Not only is this mac and cheese with bacon incredibly easy and delicious, but I also love that it can be made any time of year. Often I make it as a side dish or our main meal. Do you know that sound? The sound when your family makes those “yummy noises” while they eat? It is usually subconscious. Well, is my family with every bite during dinner. This recipe is a real WINNER!

Ingredients Needed for Bacon Mac & Cheese

• 1 – 16 oz package Bacon – cooked
• 1 – 16 oz jar Salsa Medium Heat – We prefer Old El Paso or Mrs. Renfros
• 1 stick of unsalted butter – chopped in chunks
• 12 oz of New York Sharp Cheddar Cheese – chopped in chunks
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups, plus 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 egg – beaten
• 1- 16 oz box pasta

Let’s Get Cooking – The Best Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe

The cooked bacon adds a smoky flavor to the cheese and bread crumb topping (my kid’s favorite part) in this flavorful Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese. Quite often I serve this with pickled jalapenos for myself and my son.

We like it a little bit hotter. You see, with picky kids, I do not add in any specialty cheeses. In fact, our favorite type of cheese is from Aldi. For this recipe, I use Happy Farms New York Sharp Cheddar. You can use your favorite cheddar, but we just love our Aldi brand. And the kids can tell the difference if I have used other cheese.

The first step is the pasta

Pasta, lots of pasta for this recipe. In fact, you will need one 16 oz box of your favorite shape. We use the classic elbow noodles, but I have stepped out of my comfort zone and used rotini and we love that too. So any pasta will work.

Once your pasta is done, drain and sprinkle with a little olive oil over it to prevent it from sticking. Next, you will want to create a cheese roux. The secret to making this Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese rich & creamy is a combination of egg, butter, flour, and milk.

This will thicken up as it is cooked. Without this step, your mac & cheese will flop.

Then you will add 3/4 cup of milk to a small bowl, beat in the egg, then mix in flour until well combined. Set Aside.

To make your roux, combine 2 cups of milk and chopped unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Mix until the butter is melted. Then add in chopped cheddar cheese.

Then add in chopped cheddar cheese & parmesan cheese until melted. Now add in your pasta. Stir until well combined.

Add your egg, flour & milk mixture to your saucepan. Cook until thickened.

In a 3-quart baking dish, add your cooked cheese and pasta mixture. Mix in your bacon and salsa. Lightly mix. Then bake at 350° for 60 minutes. If you want, you can also top with breadcrumbs the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Smart Cooking Tips for Making Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese

Boiling the pasta – cook the pasta less than you normally would. I like to boil my elbow pasta for between 6 and 8 minutes. Remember the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, and you don’t want it to get mushy. This can be especially true if you are choosing to use gluten-free pasta.

Start with room temperature – If you can… cold liquids will often take longer to thicken than warmer ones. I like to leave my milk on the counter while I cook. I will also leave my cheeses as well. Any shortcut I can make I do it, especially with hungry kiddos around.

Chopping or shredding your cheese – it is important to get your cheese chopped or shredded. Don’t leave it in big chunks, as it will take a long time to melt. Cooking time will have to be increased.

How To Store Mac & Cheese Leftovers

Any leftovers need to be refrigerated and covered tightly. Mac and cheese can be stored this way for up to a week. To reheat, stir in a little bit of milk or cream and microwave partially covered with plastic wrap. Stir frequently as it reheats.

Easy Southwest Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe

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Eating out is easy, and it usually tastes delicious, but it’s expensive. Making this meal at home will save you money. Add this recipe to your weekly meal plan.