Loaded Macaroni and Cheese Potato Bake with Bacon
Calling all comfort food enthusiasts! Prepare to indulge in the ultimate Macaroni and Cheese Potato Bake—a delightful fusion combining the best mac and cheese with tender potatoes. Get ready to experience the creamy, cheesy goodness that will warm your soul with every bite.
There’s something undeniably comforting about a hearty macaroni and cheese dish, but adding tender potatoes to the mix takes comfort food to a whole new level.
Picture this: a creamy, velvety cheese sauce clinging to perfectly cooked macaroni, complemented by the satisfying texture of tender potato cubes.
The combination of flavours and textures in this Macaroni and Cheese Potato Bake is pure bliss.
It’s a dish that brings back childhood memories and creates new ones with every indulgent forkful.
Whether seeking solace on a rainy day or looking to treat yourself after a long week, this recipe is your ticket to pure comfort.
Choosing the best potatoes for your macaroni and cheese potato bake
When selecting the right potatoes for your Macaroni and Cheese Potato Bake, opting for waxy potatoes is key.
Waxy potatoes, such as Red Bliss or Yukon Gold, are ideal for this recipe due to their texture and ability to hold their shape during cooking.
Unlike standard mashed or roasted potatoes, waxy potatoes have lower starch and higher moisture content.
This means they stay firm and creamy when baked, adding a delightful texture to the dish.
For our Australian friends, popular waxy potato options include Pontiac and Nicola varieties, known for their smooth texture and creamy taste.
For our American friends, Red Bliss and Yukon Gold potatoes are widely available and work beautifully in this recipe.
By selecting waxy potatoes, you’ll ensure that your Macaroni and Cheese Potato Bake maintains its perfect balance of textures, with tender potatoes that hold their form and enhance the overall comfort and satisfaction of the dish.
Ingredients to make macaroni and cheese potato bake
How to make macaroni and cheese potato bake?
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). We want it nice and toasty in there to achieve that golden and bubbly perfection.
Grab a pan and cook the bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Once it’s done, crumble it up and set it aside. Trust me, these crispy bacon bits will take our bake to the next level of flavour!
Now, let’s give some love to our potatoes and macaroni. Boil them in separate pots according to their package instructions until tender. Once they reach that perfect tenderness, drain them and set them aside.
We want them to be perfectly cooked, neither mushy nor undercooked.
How to make the cheesy sauce?
Let’s whip up that creamy cheese sauce while our potatoes and macaroni are doing their thing.
Grab a large saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat.
Once it’s melted, add the flour and stir it continuously for 2 minutes. This creates a beautiful base for our rich and cheesy sauce.
It’s time to add some magic to that base! Slowly pour in the milk, whisking like a pro to prevent any lumps from forming. Keep whisking and cooking until the sauce thickens into a velvety texture.
We want a sauce that coats our ingredients like a warm, cheesy blanket, ensuring each bite is filled with comfort.
Take the saucepan off the heat, and let’s get cheesy! Stir in the cheddar cheese until it melts completely, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.
Now, it’s time to sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat if you’re feeling a little adventurous.
Give it a good stir until all the flavours meld together perfectly.
Putting it all together
Now it’s time for the final stage of our macaroni and cheese potato bake!
Grab a large baking dish and combine our tender potatoes, al dente macaroni, and that irresistible crumbled bacon.
Now, pour that amazing cheese sauce all over the top and gently stir to ensure every morsel is well coated in the luscious cheese goodness.
Let’s take the cheesiness up another notch!
Sprinkle a generous amount of grated mozzarella cheese on top, allowing it to melt and create a gooey, irresistible layer of cheese that will make your taste buds dance with joy.
Pop the baking dish into the oven and let it work its magic for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top turns beautifully golden and irresistibly bubbly.
Your kitchen will be filled with the tantalizing aroma of melted cheese and comforting flavours.
Patience is key! Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
It’s hard to resist, I know, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish it with some sliced spring onions.
These vibrant green onions add a fresh and colourful touch, enhancing the visual appeal and adding a hint of zesty flavour.
Time to serve!
It’s time to dig in! Serve generous portions of this comforting delight and savour every cheesy, creamy, and bacon-infused bite.
Enjoy the incredible Macaroni and Cheese Potato Bake you’ve created with love and indulge in the comfort it brings to your table!
Recipe FAQ
Some of our favourite comfort food recipes!
- Bacon-Wrapped Cannelloni Recipe With Beef & Pork
- Herbed Beef and Macaroni
- Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle and Vegetable Soup
- Parma-style Beef and Italian Sausage Meatloaf
- Pancake Lasagna
Luna in the kitchen!
Meet Luna, the most stunning black Labrador who rules the kitchen with her mischievous charm.
However, Luna has decided to take a break from her usual sous chef duties today.
Instead of sniffing around for fallen treats or begging for scraps, she plops herself down under my cooking equipment and snoozes away.
Ah, Luna, the laziest and most adorable kitchen companion I could ever ask for.
Don’t worry, Luna. I’ll whip up something delicious for you later, even if you’re just dreaming of treats!
Loaded Macaroni and Cheese Potato Bake with Bacon
Ingredients
- 4-5 medium waxy potatoes peeled and cut into small cubes
- 2 cups macaroni pasta
- ½ cup plain (all-purpose flour)
- 60 g /2.1 oz unsalted butter
- 4 cups full cream milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 1-2 cups mozzarella cheese grated
- 4 slices streaky bacon cooked and sliced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- spring (green) onions (optional for garnishing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook the bacon in a pan over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove it from the pan, slice it, and set it aside.
- Boil the potatoes and macaroni in separate pots according to their package instructions until they are just tender. Drain them and set aside.
- While the potatoes and macaroni are coming to the boil, start making the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk to the butter and flour mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until it's completely melted. Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until everything is well combined.
- Combine the cooked potatoes, macaroni, and crumbled bacon in a large baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and stir gently to ensure everything is well coated.
- Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
- Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced spring (green) onions if desired.
