Bacon Macaroni Cheese Toastie
There are few things in life more irresistibly indulgent, gorgeously gooey, and supremely satisfying than this sensational bacon macaroni cheese recipe!
Ingredients
Method
For the mac and cheese: In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente; drain. Set an extra-large frying pan, or a large heavy saucepan, over medium-low heat and cook the bacon until crispy and the fat renders out, 10 to 12 minutes.
Set the bacon aside, reserving the fat to build your sauce. At this point you should have about 1/4 cup of reserved fat. If needed, add some olive oil or butter to make sure you have a 1/4 cup of fat in the pan.
Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the paste bubbles a bit, about 2 minutes (make sure it doesn't brown). Continuing to whisk, add 3 cups of the hot milk and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes. Stir in the dry mustard, and then gradually add the Cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until all of the cheese has melted into the sauce.
Stir in the hot sauce and the remaining 1 cup milk. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat. Stir in the crispy bacon and season with salt and pepper.
You'll need 2 cups of mac and cheese for the sandwiches.
For the grilled cheese: Top all 8 slices of bread with a slice of American cheese. This will act as your glue. Spoon 1/2 cup of the mac and cheese onto four of the slices, sprinkle with some basil, and then add a dollop of the spicy peppers. Top with 1 or 2 tomato slices, and cover with a second slice of bread.
In a large nonstick frying pan set over medium heat, spread 1/3 cup of the grated Parmesan in an even circle roughly the same size as your bread. Let the Parmesan begin to melt and brown, 2 to 3 minutes. As soon as it gets golden brown, set a sandwich on top of the Parmesan. Cook for 2 minutes more. .
The Parmesan will adhere to the bread and create a nice crispy crust. Remove the sandwich from the frying pan and repeat the same process for the other side of the sandwich. Depending on the size of your pan, you may be able to do two sandwiches at a time. If needed, keep finished sandwiches warm in a 95°C oven while the others are cooking.
This Bacon Mac And Cheese Toastie is the Ultimate Comfort Food Mash-Up
You really do have to taste it to believe it! Macaroni cheese with bacon on its own is a comfort food classic, but combine it with a grilled cheese sandwich and it becomes stratospherically scrummy! The thick-cut smoked bacon adds intense salty flavour, and the sharp Cheddar gives this top-drawer toastie a tang that will tantalise your tastebuds.
To elevate this bacon macaroni cheese recipe even further, we've swapped out regular bread for rich, buttery brioche, providing the perfect golden-brown exterior that gives way to the molten cheese and perfectly-cooked pasta filling. For an extra layer of indulgence - as if this bacon mac and cheese dish needed it - we've added slices of melty cheese and grated Parmesan to the outside of the toastie, creating a crispy, cheesy crust. For a big burst of flavour, we've included hot chili peppers that cut through the richness of the cheese and bacon, creating a perfectly balanced bite. If you're feeling adventurous, try experimenting with different types of chilies to find your ideal level of spice.
This Macaroni cheese with bacon recipe is perfect for a decadent weekend brunch, a comforting dinner on a chilly evening, or anytime you need a serious dose of cheesy goodness. Pair it with a crisp green salad or tangy pickles and you've got a meal sure to satisfy even the most demanding comfort food cravings.
