Everyone loves mac and cheese and is always a family favorite for an easy lunch or side-dish for dinner. This Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe is easy to make and also easy on the budget. One of our finest comfort foods, cooked macaroni in a warm cheese sauce is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Learn How to Make Cast Iron Mac and Cheese in Your Skillet.
Skillet Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Learn how to make this creamy Mac and Cheese recipe with bacon and yummy breadcrumbs for an awesome family meal. This mac and cheese is finished off in the oven to give the dish a crispy crust.
If you are not a fan of bacon, substitute some diced tomatoes instead. Tomatoes go really well with macaroni and cheese dishes. You could also serve some sliced fresh sliced tomatoes on the side.
Ingredients Needed to Make Skillet Mac and Cheese:
- Macaroni
- Butter – salted butter
- Flour
- Milk – use whole milk for better flavor
- Colby jack cheese – save money and buy a block of cheese and grate your own
- Breadcrumbs – we use Italian style
- Bacon – you can omit the bacon
How to Prepare Skillet Mac and Cheese:
STEP 1. Cook pasta until al dente. drain and leave in the pan.
STEP 2. Chop the bacon into 1-inch pieces and cook until done, drain the grease. Set aside.
STEP 3. Turn the oven broiler to low.
STEP 4. Add butter to a cast iron skillet, and heat over medium-high heat, until it melts and bubbles.
STEP 5. Whisk in flour, and cook for about 1 minute, then add milk, and bring to a boil.
STEP 6. Remove from heat, then stir in a handful of cheese at a time, until melted.
STEP 7. Add pasta and bacon. Stir until well combined.
STEP 8. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top and broil in the oven on low for about 6 minutes.
Make Delicious Mac and Cheese in Your Cast Iron Skillet
- 8 oz. pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1-1/4 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese
- 1/2 lb. bacon
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
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Cook pasta until al dente. Set aside.
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Chop bacon into 1 inch pieces and cook until done, then drain the grease. Set aside.
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Shred the cheese.
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Turn the oven broiler to low.
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Add butter to a cast iron skillet, and heat over medium-high heat, until it melts and bubbles.
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Whisk in flour, and cook for about 1 minute, then add milk, and bring to a boil.
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Remove from heat, then stir in a handful of cheese at a time, until melted.
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Add pasta and bacon. Stir until combined.
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Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top and broil on low for about 6 minutes.
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Serve warm.
You can omit the bacon from the Skillet Mac and Cheese but it’s a delicious addition to this recipe.
Cook the Macaroni
Cook the macaroni al dente as it will continue to cook in the over while the topping is being broiled. Cook it until is soft but still a little bit firm. Always salt the water and cook on an even boil. Drain well and put back in the same pot. You can always add a little butter or salt and butter to the cooked macaroni to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Stir the macaroni into the sauce until it is well coated with cheese. Put under the broiler for a few minutes to get that nice crispy crust.
Tips for Great Skillet Mac and Cheese
Experient with the cheese until you find your favorite or your favorite combination. Great cheese choices would be: Cheddar, Velveeta, Monterey Jack cheese, Colby jack cheese. We always shred our own cheese for two reasons: it tastes better and it’s much cheaper!
Always add salt to the water when you boil your macaroni noodles. Cook a little less time than the directions say since this recipe will be put in the oven and the macaroni will continue to cook as it bakes.
Cast Iron Cooking is a fun way to cook and get delicious food either stove top or baked in the oven.
What to Serve with Macaroni and Cheese Cast Iron
Chicken goes well with mac and cheese
We love to serve Oven Fried Chicken legs for a meat side dish
Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken
Serve a tossed salad filled with healthy vegetables
Fresh fruit salad – filled with your favorite fresh fruits
You will LOVE some of our other Macaroni and Cheese Recipes:
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese Recipe for 2
White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
