Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Show: Tyler's UltimateEpisode: Ultimate Mac and Cheese

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (217)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(217)

Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
6 to 8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 40 min
Total:: 1 hr 0 min

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Ingredients

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 cups milk
2 or 3 sprigs thyme
4 cloves garlic, smashed and divided
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 1/2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
1 large onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, smashed
Leaves from 1/4 bunch fresh thyme

Directions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, until al dente. Drain.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small saucepan heat the milk with the thyme sprigs and 2 garlic cloves. Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to keep lumps from forming. Strain the solids out of the milk and whisk it into the butter and flour mixture. Continue to whisk vigorously, and cook until the mixture is nice and smooth. Stir in the 4 cups of the cheese and continue to cook and stir to melt the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked macaroni and the parsley and fold that all in to coat the macaroni with the cheese mixture. Scrape into a 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

While that bakes, heat a saute pan. Add the bacon, render the fat and cook until crispy. Add onion, garlic and thyme leaves and cook for about 5 minutes to soften the onion. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, scatter the bacon mixture over the mac and cheese. Use a big spoon to scoop out servings, making sure you get some of the smoking bacon mixture on each spoonful.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese
Christopher Clarksville, TN 02-08-2010
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Not worth the money.
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

If you're going to make this recipe, you need a TON of cheese. I got the amount it called for, then nearly doubled it after... my sauce had almost no flavor. Used white vermont cheddar, no, it's not the most expensive in the world, but when you're used to the fifty cent mac in a box, it's pretty darn expensive. I will admit this, after everything came together, it was darn good. The bacon, onion, thyme topping rocked my socks. I will say it doesn't re-heat well, so don't bother fixing this whole recipe for two people. A lot of money will sit in the fridge, only to be tossed a few days later. I'm thinking about making it again for a family get together where it will surely all be devoured. So, overall, 3 stars. Great taste, darn expensive and for the amount of time and effort, definitely not for everyday.Read more
recipe Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese
marie new canaan, CT 02-07-2010
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Just a great Mac and Cheese recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made this last night after seeing on tv and it was the best mac and cheese recipe I've found. My daughter and her boyfriend... LOVED it! And they're picky! Used a lot of pots to make it (my only complaint), but it came together easily and was really delicious. I didn't change anything in the recipe, but might use more bacon next time.Read more
recipe Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese
jody radcliff, KY 02-06-2010
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Very delicious meal!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I made this as a side last night for dinner and overall it was fairly simple to put together. I was a bit surprised when... tasting it, it needed something else in it...I wasn't sure what it was, but it was missing something. My 12 yr old said it needed more seasoning but I just could not put my finger on what else it was lacking. It was a very smooth and creamy dish and will continue to perfect it to our liking. After seeing it on tv yesterday, I 'had' to try it and was very pleased with the outcome!Read more
recipe Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese
Sabrina Laguna Beach, CA 02-04-2010
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just ok
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

This was just so-so for me. Way to Cheddar-y. I got bored with it after just a couple of bites.
recipe Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese
null null, null 02-04-2010
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A REAL CHEF
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

EVERYTHING THAT TYLER COOKS IS WONDERFUL. HE IS A REAL CHEF, NOT LIKE THE SALT QUEEN, INA OR PAULA WHO CAN COOK BUT DOESN'T... HAVE ANY MANNERS. PLEASE PUT TYLER ON OUR PRIME TIME AND TAKE OFF THESE OTHERS WHO CAN'T COOK/Read more
recipe Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese
Scott Wheaton, IL 02-04-2010
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Super Sharp Cheddar is a must.!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We left off the bacon topping, the Mac & Cheese was enough, very rich smooth and creamy great flavor! The Cream sauce... dilutes... the cheese flavor. A Vermont Extra Sharp, or a Super Sharp Cheddar is a must. This was the first time for a Bechamel Sauce for me, it seemed like it took forever for it to thicken to the point where it would coat the back of a spoon. It was worth the wait. Great Recipe Tyler!Read more