Easy Mac & Cheese Recipe | Baked Macaroni And Cheese

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar lowers calories while processed cheese is more affordable.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + powdered milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, while the powdered milk is a cost-effective alternative.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories, while pecorino is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier for cooking, while margarine is a cheaper fat option.

Cook thick cut bacon in a skillet until crispy and reserve about a quarter cup of bacon grease.

Cook large macaroni noodles according to package instructions until al dente.

In the skillet with reserved bacon grease, stir in flour to create a roux, cooking until the gluten is cooked out.

Add heavy cream to the roux and cook for about three minutes until it thickens to a gravy-like consistency.

Stir in the bacon Gouda and jalapeno Gouda cheese until smooth, cooking for another five minutes.

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring to mix well.

Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and sprinkle cooked bacon on top.

Bake in the oven at 375°F for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Let it cool for a minute before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens