Bourbon and Bacon Mac and Cheese is mac and cheese grown-up style. The bacon and bourbon gives mac and cheese a wonderful earthly, salty flavor that is impossible to resist.
In addition to plenty of bourbon and bacon, this indulgent mac and cheese also has a little onion, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and thyme for flavor. There’s just a little of each so that the flavor of the bourbon and bacon is front and center.
Two kinds of cheese- gouda and cheddar cheese- add plenty of cheese flavor.
Use A Cast Iron Pan
The whole dish, except boiling the pasta, can be made in a 10-inch cast iron pan. I love using my cast iron pans. It’s so convenient to be able to move a pan directly from the stovetop to the oven. Plus cast iron pans are great for conducting heat. They perfectly cook everything and are great for getting a crisp exterior.
Bacon and bourbon is such a great combination. I actually think there are very few foods that aren’t improved by the addition of either bacon or bourbon or both.
Type Of Bourbon To Use
Use any bourbon that you like. My favorite is Maker’s Mark. I also really like Four Roses.
Recipe Tips
Want to leave the bourbon out? Just add an extra 1/3 cup of milk.
For best results use good quality cheese and grate it yourself.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Super Creamy Mac and Cheese
- Crab Mac and Cheese
- King Ranch Mac and Cheese
- Breakfast Mac and Cheese
- Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Bacon & Ranch Mac and Cheese
- Velvet Mac and Cheese
- Spicy Mac and Cheese
- Mac and Cheese with Ham
Bourbon and Bacon Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 2 cups shredded gouda cheese
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 ounces dry macaroni, cooked according to package directions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bacon in a 10-inch cast iron skillet until crisp. Remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease. Add onion to skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Stir in salt, pepper, thyme, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and bourbon.
- Simmer for about 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in Gouda cheese and 2 cups of cheddar cheese.
- Stir in cooked pasta and half of bacon. Sprinkle remaining bacon and cheddar cheese on top.Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe adapted from Southern Cast Iron
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
We LOVE IT!!! My husband can’t stop hm hm hm it! Lol
One of my family’s and friends favorites for me to make!! Absolutely delicious!!
Wonderful, Can be adapted for addition of other proteins as well.
We thought this was delicious, although I personally found the sauce a bit strange in consistency (maybe the cheeses didn’t melt properly, I don’t know). I followed the recipe except for the bacon — I find it impossible to “chop” raw bacon (I belatedly found out you’re supposed to freeze it first) and also find it never cooks completely when you have an enormous amount of small pieces like that, so I cooked the bacon whole in two batches and then just cut it up, which worked out perfectly. In any case, it’s a good mac and cheese recipe that I’ll definitely make again with my adjustments.
Absolutely delicious!
Everyone loved it. I didn’t have smoked Gouda, and next time will make sure I do. I did alter it a little, added sour cream to my roux. But definitely a dish I will make again.
Thank you!
I’ve used jalapeno instead of bacon, it was divine. Super combo ! Thanks.