Quick & Cozy Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon Recipe

Macaroni cheese with bacon transforms an ordinary pasta dish into a comforting culinary experience that sparks immediate hunger.

Mary Berry’s signature recipe elevates this classic comfort food with unexpected depth and richness.

Crispy bacon bits interweave perfectly with creamy cheese, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Pasta lovers will appreciate the sophisticated twist on a traditional favorite, where each forkful promises indulgence and satisfaction.

Her approach balances simplicity with gourmet sensibilities, making the dish accessible yet remarkable.

Professional chefs and home cooks can master this recipe with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

You’ll fall in love with its warm, inviting essence that speaks directly to your comfort food cravings: prepare to be amazed.

Why Mary Berry’s Mac and Cheese With Bacon Is a Must

• Savor Flavor-Packed Comfort: This macaroni cheese delivers rich, indulgent taste with crispy bacon adding a smoky, salty punch that elevates the classic comfort food to a new level of deliciousness.
• Master Easy Gourmet Cooking: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, home cooks can create a restaurant-quality dish without advanced culinary skills, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Create Texture Heaven: Creamy cheese sauce coats tender macaroni while crispy bacon lardons provide a satisfying crunch, offering a delightful contrast in every single bite that keeps taste buds excited and engaged.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Meal: Requiring just 35 minutes from start to finish, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, warming dish that will impress family and friends with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Ingredients That Make This Pasta Sing

Main Ingredients:

• Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that absorbs creamy cheese sauce perfectly. Best when cooked al dente.
• Bacon Lardons: Crispy pork pieces that add smoky flavor and rich texture. Choose high-quality bacon with good fat content.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that creates rich, creamy sauce. Grate fresh for best melting quality.
• Butter: Provides base for roux and adds richness to the sauce. Use unsalted for better flavor control.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create smooth consistency. All-purpose flour works best.
• Milk: Creates smooth, creamy sauce base. Whole milk recommended for fuller flavor.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish. Use sparingly and adjust to taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the cheese sauce. Freshly ground preferred.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds color and fresh herbaceous note. Chopped finely before serving.

How to Make Bacon Mac and Cheese the Berry Way

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6 for perfect baking temperature.

Step 2: Cook Pasta

Boil macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Crisp The Bacon

Cook bacon lardons in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to absorb excess grease.

Step 4: Create A Smooth Roux

In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir until combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns light golden.

Step 5: Pour And Whisk Milk

Gradually add milk while continuously whisking to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.

Step 6: Cheese It Up

• Salt
• Black pepper

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7: Combine Ingredients

Mix cooked macaroni and crispy bacon lardons into the cheese sauce. Ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

• Top turns golden brown
• Sauce starts bubbling

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips for a Creamy, Smoky Pasta

• Elevate Bacon Crispness: Select premium lardons or pancetta, cooking until perfectly golden and crunchy for maximum flavor intensity.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Drain macaroni thoroughly after cooking al dente to prevent watery, soggy sauce consistency.
• Cheese Selection Strategy: Combine multiple cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, creamy Gouda, and aged Parmesan for complex, rich flavor profiles.
• Smooth Sauce Technique: Gradually incorporate milk into roux, whisking continuously to eliminate potential lumps and create silky-smooth cheese sauce.
• Healthier Modification Option: Experiment with whole wheat pasta, reduced-fat cheese, and skimmed milk while understanding potential taste and texture compromises.

Storing Macaroni Cheese Without Clumping

• Freezing Method: Seal completely cooled macaroni cheese in airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking. Frozen dishes maintain best quality when consumed within two to three months.
• Refrigeration Method: Cool dish completely at room temperature before transferring to sealed containers. Store in refrigerator for maximum three to four days. Prevent moisture buildup by allowing initial cooling without covering.
• Reheating Method: Thaw frozen macaroni cheese overnight in refrigerator for best results. Warm gently in microwave or oven, adding small splash of milk to restore creamy texture. Stir occasionally during reheating to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Flavor Upgrades for the Bacon Cheese Classic

• Veggie Blast: Replace bacon with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a colorful vegetarian version. Sauté vegetables until tender before mixing into the cheese sauce.
• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle crispy chorizo crumbs on top for extra heat and crunch.
• Mediterranean Mix: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh basil. Use a blend of mozzarella and parmesan for a tangy, herbal flavor profile.
• Smoky Seafood Edition: Mix in smoked salmon pieces and tiny shrimp. Replace some milk with cream for a luxurious texture, and garnish with fresh dill and lemon zest.

What Makes This Comfort Dish Unforgettable

Gourmet mac and cheese reaches new heights with Mary Berry’s legendary recipe.

Classic comfort merges with sophisticated flavor through carefully selected ingredients.

Bacon’s salty crunch elevates this traditional British dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Creamy cheese sauce defines culinary excellence with its smooth, rich texture.

Meal preparation becomes an elegant experience celebrating homestyle cooking techniques.

Passionate cooks and hungry families will devour this irresistible creation – so grab your skillet, share this recipe, drop a comment celebrating comfort cuisine, and let deliciousness reign supreme!

Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 26 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy Mary Berry macaroni cheese with crispy bacon elevates comfort dining to a luxurious British classic. Rich cheese sauce and golden breadcrumb topping make this hearty dish irresistible for weekend dinners you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 350 grams (12.3 ounces) elbow macaroni
• 200 grams (7 ounces) smoked bacon lardons
• 200 grams (7 ounces) grated cheddar cheese

Dairy and Thickening Ingredients:

• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) unsalted butter
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) plain flour
• 600 milliliters (20.3 fluid ounces) whole milk

Seasoning and Garnish:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 392°F (200°C) with the fan setting at 356°F (180°C), preparing a standard baking environment.
2. Cook macaroni pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until perfectly al dente. Thoroughly drain and set aside.
3. Render bacon lardons in a skillet over medium heat, cooking until crisp and golden brown. Transfer the crispy pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
4. Use the same skillet to create a roux by melting butter and incorporating flour. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color and develops a nutty aroma.
5. Slowly introduce milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, velvety base sauce.
6. Incorporate grated cheddar cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and integrated. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
7. Combine the cooked macaroni and crispy bacon lardons with the cheese sauce, ensuring every pasta piece is generously coated with the creamy mixture.
8. Transfer the entire mixture to a large, deep ovenproof baking dish, spreading evenly to promote consistent heating.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top develops a beautiful golden-brown crust and the sauce bubbles enticingly around the edges.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh herb flavor. Serve immediately while hot and bubbling.

Notes

• Chill the prepared dish for up to 24 hours before baking, allowing the flavors to meld together. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to placing in the oven.
• Opt for whole wheat macaroni and low-fat cheese to create a lighter version of this comfort classic. Keep in mind that these substitutions may slightly change the overall taste and texture.
• Season carefully with salt and black pepper, remembering that bacon and cheese already contribute significant saltiness to the dish.
• Incorporate cheese gradually while whisking to prevent lumpy sauce. Select meltable cheddar as the primary cheese, with Parmesan or Gouda adding complexity.
• Ensure macaroni is cooked perfectly al dente and thoroughly drained before combining with cheese sauce. This step prevents potential mushiness.
• Select high-quality bacon lardons for maximum flavor impact. Cook pancetta or bacon until crispy when using in cheese sauce for optimal taste and texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg