Mary Berry’s Comforting Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe to Savor

Macaroni cheese with bacon brings a mouthwatering twist to classic comfort cuisine that instantly awakens hunger pangs.

This decadent dish transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece bursting with irresistible flavors.

Crispy bacon crumbles melt seamlessly into velvety cheese, creating a sensory explosion that dances across your taste buds.

Professional and amateur cooks alike can craft this crowd-pleasing recipe with surprising ease.

Layers of savory goodness promise a dining experience that transcends ordinary pasta preparations.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and rich sensations that comfort and delight.

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this irresistible mac and cheese sensation that will have everyone begging for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 710 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients to Make Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese with Bacon

• Macaroni: Select high-quality pasta with ridged surface for better sauce adhesion.
• Short Pasta: Choose elbow-shaped pasta for traditional mac and cheese texture.

• Bacon Lardons: Opt for thick-cut bacon with balanced fat-to-meat ratio for maximum flavor.
• Smoked Bacon: Select premium cut with rich smoky undertones for depth.

• Unsalted Butter: Choose European-style butter with higher butterfat content for richer flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Use fresh, sifted flour to prevent lumps in roux.
• Whole Milk: Select full-fat milk for luxurious, velvety sauce consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese: Pick sharp, aged cheddar for robust, tangy cheese profile.

• Salt: Use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper provides intense, aromatic flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Select bright green, crisp herbs for vibrant garnish.

Tools Needed for Mary Berry’s Bacon Mac and Cheese

• Large pot: Perfect for boiling pasta and creating generous servings.
• Frying pan: Essential for crisping bacon and creating smooth roux.
• Slotted spoon: Great for removing bacon without extra grease.
• Whisk: Key tool for creating silky smooth cheese sauce.
• Ovenproof dish: Needed for baking mac and cheese to golden perfection.
• Cheese grater: Helps create freshly grated cheddar for rich flavor.
• Paper towels: Useful for draining excess bacon grease.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wooden spoon: Helps mix ingredients and stir sauce smoothly.
• Cutting board: Used for chopping fresh parsley garnish.

Cooking Macaroni Cheese with Bacon by Mary Berry

• Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a sizzling 200°C for the ultimate cooking environment that’ll make your dish sing.

• Tame The Pasta

Boil those macaroni noodles in a water bath until they’re tender and ready to rock. Drain and set them aside for their cheesy destiny.

• Bacon Magic

Sizzle bacon bits in a hot pan until they transform into crispy golden nuggets of deliciousness. Rescue them with a slotted spoon and let them rest on paper towels.

• Whip Up A Silky Base

In the same pan, melt butter and dance in some flour. Stir until they become best friends and turn a light golden hue.

• Create Creamy Goodness

Pour milk slowly while whisking like a culinary superhero. Watch the sauce transform into a smooth, dreamy mixture that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Cheese Explosion

Dive in with grated cheddar, melting it completely into the sauce. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to wake up those flavors.

• Mix And Mingle

Combine pasta and crispy bacon with the cheese sauce, ensuring every single piece gets a luxurious coating.

• Bake And Celebrate

Slide the mixture into an ovenproof dish and bake until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the sauce bubbles with excitement. Shower with fresh parsley and serve hot, ready to make everyone at the table swoon.

Tips to Switch Up Mary Berry’s Bacon Mac & Cheese

• Elevate Your Mac and Cheese Game: Expert Tips and Tasty Twists
• Cheese Blend Magic: Mix different cheeses like gruyère, gouda, or sharp cheddar for a more complex, rich flavor profile that transforms your classic mac and cheese.
• Crispy Topping Technique: Sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top before baking to create an irresistible crunchy golden crust that adds fantastic texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Experiment with protein additions like pulled chicken, diced ham, or spicy chorizo to turn this comfort dish into a complete meal that satisfies hungry appetites.
• Veggie Boost Option: Sneak in roasted vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, or butternut squash to increase nutritional value and add unexpected delicious layers of flavor to your mac and cheese.

Presenting Macaroni Cheese with Bacon the Right Way

• Serve Alongside Fresh Salad: Pair the mac and cheese with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pasta.
• Create Crunchy Bread Topping: Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top for an extra layer of texture and delightful crunch.
• Elevate with Side Vegetables: Roast seasonal vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts to complement the cheesy, bacon-filled dish and add nutritional balance.
• Enjoy as Comfort Meal: Serve this hearty mac and cheese as a standalone dinner on chilly evenings, perfect for warming up and satisfying hungry family members.

Mary Berry’s Storage Advice for Macaroni and Bacon Dish

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The dish maintains its creamy texture when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to restore sauce's smoothness. Stir occasionally to prevent hot spots and ensure even heating.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen mac and cheese stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare double the recipe and portion out extra servings. These make convenient, quick meals for busy weeknights or unexpected dinner guests. Cool completely before storing to maintain optimal taste and texture.

Creamy Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting mary berry macaroni cheese with bacon brings classic British flavors to your dinner table. Crispy bacon and creamy cheese create a rich, satisfying experience for home cooks seeking simple, delicious meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 350 g (12.3 oz) elbow macaroni
• 200 g (7 oz) smoked bacon lardons
• 200 g (7 oz) grated cheddar cheese
• 50 g (1.8 oz) unsalted butter
• 50 g (1.8 oz) plain flour
• 600 ml (20.3 fl oz) whole milk
• salt
• black pepper
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Configure oven to 392°F (200°C) with fan setting at 356°F (180°C), creating an optimal baking environment.
2. Pasta Preparation: Cook macaroni in generously salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
3. Bacon Treatment: Crisp bacon lardons in a skillet over medium heat until golden and rendered, transferring to a paper towel to eliminate excess grease.
4. Roux Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and integrate flour, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes until achieving a light golden hue with a nutty fragrance.
5. Sauce Development: Gradually whisk milk into the roux, ensuring a smooth, lustrous base, then fold in cheddar cheese until completely melted and seamlessly incorporated, seasoning with salt and black pepper.
6. Fusion and Assembly: Blend cooked macaroni and crispy bacon with the cheese sauce, guaranteeing comprehensive coating, then transfer to a deep ovenproof dish, distributing evenly.
7. Baking Finale: Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the surface transforms into a rich golden-brown crust and sauce bubbles provocatively around the edges.
8. Serving: Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and present immediately while piping hot and gloriously bubbling.

Notes

• Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a skillet until golden brown to ensure maximum flavor and optimal texture without burning.
• Roux Technique: Stir butter and flour continuously for 1-2 minutes to develop a rich, nutty base without creating raw flour taste.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Add cheese off direct heat and stir gently to prevent separating, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.
• Baking Precision: Watch carefully during final 20-25 minutes to achieve perfect golden-brown crust without over-browning or drying out the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 710
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 1080 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg