Chipotle Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

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You better hold onto your hats, because this Chipotle Bacon Macaroni and Cheese is AMAZING!!! Rich, thick, creamy and cheesy….of course, with a a salty crunch of bacon and a tingle on the back of your tongue from the chipotle. Seriously, this blows away all other Macaroni and Cheese recipes!

Yes, I am still on a cheese kick! This inspiration for this dish came from Target. That is seriously a dangerous place for creative minds!! A few months ago, I picked up a frozen Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese by LOVE {I believe that was the name}. Anyway, it was really good…..but way too spicy for me!!!

You may have heard me mention once or twice that I am a WIMP when it comes to spicy! There are some barbecue sauces that are too spicy for me. I know, I know, it’s pathetic….but it is just something that I have to live with. Or, I can recreate my own version with the perfect amount of heat! 😉

We are basically using my Homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe, but kicking it up a few thousand notches! 😉

How to make Chipotle Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, okay? Now, melt butter in a large pan/Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Simmer, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes…..

Pour in the milk and whisk to combine and remove all lumps…..

Add the salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, chipotle, and mustard, stir to combine…..

Continue cooking until mixture starts to simmer, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add the grated cheese. Stir until melted and completely combined……

Add the drained pasta and stir until completely coated…..

Add the chopped bacon pieces and stir to combine. Place in a 2 quart baking dish. Mix melted butter and panko crumbs together in a small bowl. Sprinkle panko mixtures over the macaroni and cheese…..

Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until browned…..

Then grab a big spoon and serve it up immediately! If you have small children, 1/2 a teaspoon of chipotle is barely noticeable. If you are a wimp like me, go for 1 teaspoon. If you are insane, toss the whole chipotle in if you like. It’s totally up to you and your family’s taste buds. 🙂

I think this just became my favorite comfort food of all time!

More delicious pasta recipes:

• Double Shrimp Pasta
• Chicken Enchilada Pasta
• Linguine alla Carbonara
• Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese 
• Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Manicotti 

Enjoy!!

Chipotle Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Chipotle Bacon Macaroni and Cheese is not your run of the mill mac n' cheese. It is loaded with flavor and sure to please even the pickiest eaters!

4 from 4 votes

Print Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: macaroni and cheese, bacon, chipotle pepper

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories: 684kcal

Author: Lisa Johnson

1/21x2x3x

Ingredients

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ cups milk or half and half I used unsweetened cashew milk
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 Tablespoon dry mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon chipotle pepper I used the adobo sauce in the canned chipotle peppers
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated
• 4 slices crispy cooked bacon plus extra for garnish
• 1 pound macaroni or pasta of your choice, cooked and drained

Topping

• 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• ¾ cups dry panko crumbs

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Melt butter in a large pan/Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add the flour and whisk to combine. Simmer, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Pour in the milk and whisk to combine and remove all lumps.
• Add the salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, chipotle, and mustard, stir to combine.
• Continue cooking until mixture starts to simmer, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add the grated cheese. Stir until melted and completely combined.
• Add the drained pasta and stir until completely coated.
• Add the chopped bacon pieces and stir to combine.
• Place in a 2 quart baking dish.
• Mix melted butter and panko crumbs together in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle panko mixtures over the macaroni and cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until browned.
• Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 684kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 536mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 996IU | Calcium: 424mg | Iron: 2mg