Best Ever Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Ingredients for Best Ever Macaroni And Cheese

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Sweet Paprika
• Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)
• Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (or more, to taste)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
• 2 large eggs
• 6 cups shredded cheese (a mix of cheddar, Gruyère, Gouda, bleu, and smoked cheeses; approximately 2-2.25 lbs)
• Ritz Cracker

How to Make Best Ever Macaroni And Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a deep 3-quart baking dish.
2. Cook bacon until crispy. Reserve 6 tablespoons of bacon grease (or use butter); crumble bacon and set aside.
3. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. In a food processor, combine crumbled bacon, crushed crackers, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Pulse until coarsely combined.
5. Heat reserved bacon grease (or butter) in a large saucepan over medium heat until bubbling.
6. Whisk in flour until smooth.
7. Add onion powder, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. Whisk for 1-2 minutes.
8. Slowly whisk in milk and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
9. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, nutmeg, and hot sauce.
10. Reduce heat to low. Gradually add the remaining 5 cups of cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
11. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs. Temper the eggs by whisking in about 1 cup of the hot cheese sauce. Whisk the egg mixture back into the pot.
12. Stir in the cooked macaroni.
13. Pour macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish.
14. Top with the bacon-cracker-cheese mixture.
15. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.