Avocado and Bacon Mac and Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Creamy, smoky comfort with fresh avocado and crispy bacon folded into cheesy macaroni.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Add-ins

11 - 6 slices bacon, chopped
12 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
13 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
14 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.
03 - In a large saucepan, melt butter with reserved bacon fat over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute to form a roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
05 - Add cheddar and Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Add the cooked macaroni and half the cooked bacon to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat evenly.
07 - Gently fold in the diced avocado and lemon juice, taking care not to mash the avocado.
08 - Serve immediately, topped with the remaining crispy bacon and fresh chives if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The avocado adds this incredible buttery creaminess without needing extra dairy
  • Bacon fat in the cheese sauce is the secret that makes guests ask whats different
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you spent all day cooking
02 -
  • Add avocado at the very end so it stays bright and doesnt brown
  • The reserved bacon fat is worth every bit of effort for depth of flavor
  • This dish needs to be eaten immediately the texture changes dramatically as it sits
03 -
  • Reserve a splash of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed
  • The lemon juice is essential it keeps avocado bright and balances the richness

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