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Home / Main Dishes

Smoky Chipotle Bacon Mac and Cheese

5
/5
45 minutes
34 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 10/07/2018

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Deliciously savory and smoky, this mac and cheese recipe uses two kinds of cheese, bacon, chipotle peppers and a buttery panko topping. Epic comfort food!

Creamy mac and cheese, made with double the cheeses, chipotle peppers, crispy bacon, and a buttery panko topping!  Perfect for a weeknight comfort food meal! #macandcheese #macaroni #bacon #chipotle #smoky #comfortfood #weeknightmeal #easyrecipe #homemade

This is a recipe that’s been on the books for a while now!  You guys went, and are still going, so crazy over this Creamy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese, that I knew I had to give you another great mac and cheese to try!  I still have some more planned for the future, but for now, I give you this smoky awesomeness!

Perfectly cheesy while still using 100% real cheese, this mac and cheese recipe is made with a basic cheese sauce that’s infused with chipotle peppers, and topped off with a buttery panko/bacon combo.

Spoon digging into mac and cheese in skillet

HOW DO YOU MAKE HOMEMADE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE?

There are basically two types of baked mac and cheese recipes.  One uses eggs as a binder, and usually liquid and cheeses are added together to the noodles, mixed with eggs and seasonings, and then baked.  This type is delicious for sure, but usually bakes a bit longer, as everything has to melt together in the oven.  I have a recipe like that in the works (it’s a one pot meal!), but it may not be until early 2019 as I have so many other awesome recipes to share in 2018.  The second type of baked mac and cheese uses a roux and cheese sauce in which everything is melted together and cooked with pasta.

WHAT IS A ROUX?

Don’t let the fancy French word scare you… it’s a really simple mixture of fat (usually butter), and flour, which is used to thicken sauces.  You start off by melting your butter in a saucepan, then once it’s melted, you add in some flour.  Normally the ratio of fat to flour is 1:1.  Whisk the flour into the melted butter until it looks like wet sand, then let it cook about a minute or so, stirring every so often.  Your roux is complete!  Next you’ll just whisk in your liquids and let the roux-magic thicken it up in about 5-10 minutes.

Skillet of homemade mac and cheese

WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE TO ADD TO MAC AND CHEESE?

Honestly the best mac and cheese recipes I’ve ever made or tried, have all used a combination of cheeses.  Check out the 5 cheese version of my baked mac and cheese (below the recipe)!!  Here are some of my personal favorites:

  • Gruyere
  • Smoked Gouda
  • Cheddar
  • Parmesan
  • Mozzarella
  • Fontina
  • Colby
  • Muenster

CAN YOU USE PRE-SHREDDED CHEESE FOR MAC AND CHEESE?

You can… but I don’t recommend it 100%.  Here’s why… most commercial pre-shredded cheeses are coated in cellulose, which essentially keeps the cheese from all clumping together in the bag.  Ever noticed how bags of pre-shredded cheese that are coming up on their expiration date usually have clumps of cheese stuck together inside?  It’s because the cellulose is just about gone from the cheese.  That coating prevents the cheese from truly melting down into a gloriously gooey cheese sauce, and can leave your sauce a bit on the gritty side.  Plus I find the blocks of cheese are a bit more economical!

Gooey mac and cheese made in cast iron skillet

WHAT TYPE OF PASTA CAN YOU USE TO MAKE MAC AND CHEESE?

Truthfully, any kind!  I would tend to stay away from longer cuts, like spaghetti or fettuccini, just for aesthetic reasons, but any short cut pasta works wonderfully!  Elbows, shells, penne, rigatoni, cavatappi (like I used in my Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese – a reader just commented that she won a contest with that recipe!), they all turn out great.

CAN THIS MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?

Absolutely.  It’s a great make-ahead dinner or side, which is perfect for a busy weeknight or holiday dinner!  I’ve posted the make-ahead directions below the recipe.

Baked mac and cheese in bowl with bacon

CAN THE SPICE LEVEL BE TONED DOWN?

Definitely.  I LOVE chipotle flavor, but if you’re not as much of a fan, you can reduce the amount of the peppers, omit the peppers completely and just use a little bit of the adobo sauce in the can, or omit it all together.  I’ve also given a range for the black pepper spice amount, because that can crank up some heat as well.  Feel free to play around with it and really make it your own 🙂

CAN I PREP THIS MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE AHEAD?

I get it… half the battle when it comes to cooking is getting all the ingredients ready!  There are several steps you can take to cut down on prep/cook time in this recipe:

  • Pre-boil your pasta.  Boil it, drain it, drizzle it with a little olive oil and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.  Just set it out on the counter while you start cooking and it’ll be warmed up enough to use.
  • Pre-cook your bacon.  Just keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready for it.
  • Pre-shred your cheeses.  Again, just keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready for it.
  • Pre-dice your onion.  You guessed it… just keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready for it.

Spoonful of baked mac and cheese in skillet

SHOP THE RECIPE:

  • Cast Iron Skillet – I love the rustic feel of baking mac and cheese in a trusty cast iron skillet… and they’re SO versatile!
  • Box grater – a must if you’re grating a bunch of cheese!

 

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Creamy mac and cheese, made with double the cheeses, chipotle peppers, crispy bacon, and a buttery panko topping!  Perfect for a weeknight comfort food meal! #macandcheese #macaroni #bacon #chipotle #smoky #comfortfood #weeknightmeal #easyrecipe #homemade

Smoky Chipotle Bacon Mac and Cheese

5 from 17 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 1517
Servings: 6 servings
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Deliciously savory and smoky, this mac and cheese recipe uses two kinds of cheese, bacon, chipotle peppers and a buttery panko topping!

Ingredients

  • 16 oz dried pasta shells or elbows
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 yellow onion , minced
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 3 cups half and half
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce , minced
  • 3 cups medium cheddar cheese , shredded
  • 2 cups smoked Gouda cheese , shredded
  • 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp ancho chile pepper
  • 2 - 3 tsp olive oil
  • 8 slices bacon , cooked and crumbled

Instructions

  • Boil pasta in a large pot of water.  Drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl.  Butter or grease a large oven safe skillet (like cast iron), or 9x13" baking dish.  Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
  • To a large saucepan, add butter and melt over MED heat.  Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes, until soft.  Add flour and stir to combine.  Cook about a minute.
  • Whisk in the half and half and heavy cream, removing all lumps from the flour.  Stir in salt, pepper, smoked paprika and minced chipotle peppers.  Whisk often, over MED heat, for 5-7 minutes, or until thickened.
  • Remove pan from heat and stir in most of the cheeses a handful at a time.  Reserve about 1/2 cup of the combined cheeses to sprinkle on top of the mac and cheese later. Stir until cheeses are completely melted.
  • Pour cheese sauce over cooked pasta in mixing bowl.  Stir to combine well, then transfer to prepared skillet or baking dish.  Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
  • Combine panko, ancho chile pepper and olive oil.  Sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese, then top with cooked bacon pieces.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and panko is golden brown.  For a crispier topping, broil for a minute or two after baking.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

To reduce calories a little: milk and half and half may be used in place of the half and half and heavy cream.  I wouldn't go below 2% milkfat though, or it may not thicken and be as creamy.

MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS

  • Make as directed (but do not bake), transfer to baking dish and cool completely.  Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead.  
  • Before baking, let dish sit on counter for 30 minutes.
  • Bake at recipe temperature for 25-35 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
 

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Save for Later Saved!

 

Creamy mac and cheese, made with double the cheeses, chipotle peppers, crispy bacon, and a buttery panko topping!  Perfect for a weeknight comfort food meal! #macandcheese #macaroni #bacon #chipotle #smoky #comfortfood #weeknightmeal #easyrecipe #homemade

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Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Penny says

    Posted on 11/26 at 2:09 am

    Absolute hit for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner last year and again this year! Seriously love this stuff, it’s absolutely amazing 🤤 😋

    Reply
  2. Jess P says

    Posted on 11/25 at 8:56 am

    So good 😁

    Reply
  3. Stacy says

    Posted on 11/21 at 3:14 pm

    Made this for a friend’s 50th birthday. Sooo good. Will definitely be a keeper recipe. A little more involved than a weeknight recipe but definitely for special occasions and group get together. Excellent

    Reply
  4. Diana says

    Posted on 8/12 at 8:12 am

    Amazing and dangerously delicious! Made exactly as your recipe indicates. Will definitely make this for family and and I know it will become a favorite.

    Reply
  5. Mary says

    Posted on 7/27 at 8:01 am

    best mac and cheese ever

    Reply
  6. Carol says

    Posted on 4/14 at 2:00 am

    Looks So Delicious!!
    Do you think this recipe would work in a waffle iron? I’d like to make a mac and cheese waffle bun with it.

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      Posted on 4/14 at 9:35 am

      That sounds fabulous! I haven’t tried it myself, so I can’t say for certain how that would work out. If you try it, I’d love to know how it goes 🙂

      Reply
  7. RoAn says

    Posted on 3/28 at 1:32 pm

    Was a crowd pleaser for sure!!! I used extra sharp cheddar-white cheddar & smoked gouda. Used 1 LB bacon mixed in and some sprinkled under the cheese on top. Also added my secret weapon….liquid smoke to taste! Mmmmmm!! Made the day before then just before baking added the panko (with butter). Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply
  8. Kathy van beest says

    Posted on 12/28 at 10:19 pm

    Hi. do you think this would work if I subbed the creams with oat milk? I think the flavour profile would be the same but maybe not quite as creamy…..

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/29 at 4:18 pm

      I’ve only tested this recipe as written. So without testing and retesting it myself, I can’t say for certain if that would work. If you try it, I’d love to know how it turns out!

      Reply
  9. JD says

    Posted on 11/21 at 3:02 pm

    This looks amazing!!!! Making it for thanksgiving! I checked out your five cheese variation and kinda came up with my own but i’m not an expert on cheeses! lol Would this be a good cheese variation or am I doing too much:
    2 cups smoked cheddar
    2 cups smoked gouda
    2 cups medium cheddar
    2 cups gruyere
    1 cup Parmesan
    1 cup Mozzarella

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/22 at 8:38 pm

      I think those cheeses would be amazing! However, that’s 10 cups of cheese, so unless you’re doubling this recipe, I’d scale back so you have 5 total cups 🙂

      Reply
      • JD says

        Posted on 11/23 at 9:17 am

        Yes, I’m doubling. Thank you!! 😊

        Reply
        • The Chunky Chef says

          Posted on 11/23 at 9:21 am

          Great, that’ll be perfect 😀

          Reply
  10. Erick says

    Posted on 10/23 at 8:09 pm

    MY SEARCH FOR THE WORLD’S BEST MAC & CHEESE IS OVER.  I gave it more kick with extra chipotle peppers and by grating off only the super-smoky outer edges of the gouda.  Comfort for days….

    Reply
  11. Denise says

    Posted on 9/14 at 11:42 am

    Our favorite mac and cheese recipe! My hubby and I are lovers of this American classic, but always feel a little sad since they seem to be more “kid friendly” with no spice/bold flavor! This recipe was a MAJOR HOME RUN with the combination of smoked cheese, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and bacon! Finally we have an “adult version” to enjoy!

    Reply
  12. Lorenzo says

    Posted on 10/19 at 2:39 pm

    This looks amazing and I’m about to try it, I just don’t see the bacon in the actual directions

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/20 at 7:58 pm

      Step 6 in the written instructions is where you add the cooked bacon pieces to the top of the mac and cheese..

      Reply
  13. Sofia says

    Posted on 5/16 at 11:55 am

    This was so good! I want to make it for a potluck for work, but there isn’t an oven. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it crockpot friendly? maybe just bake it in the crockpot ceramic and then just keep it on warm? Any suggestions welcome!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 5/17 at 9:00 am

      So glad you love it! If your crockpot ceramic crock will withstand the heat of the oven, then yes, baking it in that and keeping it on warm should work just fine 🙂 Just double check about oven temperatures beforehand 😉

      Reply
  14. Amber Key says

    Posted on 12/9 at 8:15 pm

    My family loves this recipe! Has perfect flavor, comfort food for sure! I added extra chipotle, because we like spicy. Now, if I could just find Gouda on sale…..

    Reply
  15. Janice says

    Posted on 10/27 at 3:51 pm

    So far so good, however you don’t say what the temperature of the oven should be to bake it?!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/27 at 7:59 pm

      Yikes! Thanks for the heads up! It bakes at 375 F degrees 🙂

      Reply
  16. Allyson Zea says

    Posted on 10/9 at 8:16 am

    OHHHHHHH MY GOODNESSS! Mac and cheese is the way to my heart so I pretty much just fell in love! Can’t wait to try this out!

    Reply
  17. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

    Posted on 10/9 at 7:54 am

    This looks SO good!! I need to try this!

    Reply
  18. Katerina @ diethood .com says

    Posted on 10/9 at 6:25 am

    Oh boy, this sounds terrific!! My family would LOVE it!!

    Reply
  19. Catalina says

    Posted on 10/9 at 5:48 am

    Bacon makes everything better! This is a must try recipe!

    Reply
  20. Krista says

    Posted on 10/8 at 11:19 am

    These flavors are spot on! I cannot wait to make this!

    Reply
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