Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 50 min
Cal/Serv: 876
Smoky, Cheesy, Southern Comfort in a Bowl 🧀🥓
This Bacon & Pimento Mac & Cheese takes classic comfort to the next level with crispy bacon, melty cheese, and the bold, tangy kick of pimento. Creamy, smoky, and irresistibly rich—it’s the kind of dish that disappears fast and leaves everyone wanting seconds!
| 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for dish |
| 12 slices bacon |
| Kosher salt |
| 16 oz. cavatappi or elbow pasta |
| 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped |
| 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour |
| 1 1/2 cups whole milk |
| 1 cup heavy cream |
| 8 oz. jarred pimento peppers, drained |
| 1 tsp. Dijon mustard |
| 2 dashes hot sauce |
| 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar |
| 1/2 cup toasted panko breadcrumbs |
| 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil |
| 1 Tbsp. garlic powder |
| 1 tsp. paprika |
| Finely sliced chives, for serving |
Directions
Step 1
Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°. Grease a 13″ x 9″ baking dish with butter.
Step 2
Working in batches if needed, in a large saucepan or Dutch oven, arrange bacon in a single layer. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels and let cool. Pour off all but 1 tsp. bacon fat; reserve for another use.
Step 3
Transfer bacon to a resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin (alternatively, crush bacon by hand).
Step 4
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Drain.
Step 5
In same saucepan over medium heat, add garlic and 3 Tbsp. butter to bacon fat and cook, stirring frequently, until butter melts and garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking, until toasty smelling and no dry streaks remain, about 2 minutes. Whisk in milk until no clumps remain, then whisk in cream.
Step 6
Add pimentos, Dijon, and hot sauce to taste; season with 1/2 tsp. salt. Bring to a low simmer. Add cheese and stir until melted and creamy, then add about half of crumbled bacon. Add pasta and toss to combine. Transfer pasta mixture to prepared dish.
Step 7
In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, oil, garlic powder, paprika, and remaining bacon; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over pasta mixture.
Step 8
Bake mac and cheese until topping is browned and edges are bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly. Top with chives.
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