Baked Mac and Cheese

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, covering it entirely and up the sides. Fit a wire rack inside the baking sheet and lightly spray it with cooking spray.

Step 2

Lay out bacon strips on top of the rack. For more flavor, you can brush bacon with a little mustard or just season with some black pepper.

Step 3

Cook bacon for 13-15 minutes, depending on thickness of bacon. Thick cut bacon can take up to 20 minutes to cook fully.

Step 4

Take the bacon out of the oven and lay the strips out on a paper towel.

Step 5

Grate blocks of cheese on large block grater. Set aside.

Step 6

While bacon is cooking, cook pasta, and prepare cheese sauce.

Step 7

Cook macaroni al dente, strain, and set aside.

Step 8

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 9

Whisk in flour and stir. Once it's combined and looks like paste, start slowly pouring in milk while constantly stirring. Keep whisking until all incorporated.

Step 10

Add cheeses a handful at a time while slowly stirring.

Step 11

Season with garlic power, salt, and pepper. Keep slowly stirring.

Step 12

Once all cheese is melted and smooth, add pasta. Stir until all completely combined. Take off heat.

Step 13

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a baking dish. Use a deep 9x9 baking dish or 9x13 baking dish.

Step 14

Spread mac and cheese in the prepared baking dish.

Step 15

Crumble and dice cooked bacon. Mix diced bacon, Panko, and a little bacon grease in a mixing bowl until evenly combined.

Step 16

Spread topping all over the mac and cheese in the baking pan.

Step 17

Bake for about 20 minutes.