Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? It’s creamy, cheesy, and so comforting. But when you add crispy bacon and a few sneaky veggies, you’ve got a meal that’s even more delicious! This slow-cooker bacon mac and cheese is my go-to for busy days when I want something super easy and flavorful. The best part? It’s a one-pot wonder that makes clean-up a breeze. Whether you’re feeding a family or looking for a cozy dinner, this recipe checks all the boxes. Plus, if you love slow-cooker meals like this, be sure to check out my new book, Six Ingredient Slowcooker, where you can discover even more tasty recipes!

Method in Detail

Step 1: Cooking the Butternut Squash

Place the frozen butternut squash into the slow cooker along with 250ml of vegetable stock. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Set the slow cooker to cook on high for about 2 hours. This will allow the squash to soften and break down, creating a creamy base for your sauce. Once the squash is tender, it should blend easily into the creamy mixture.

Step 2: Adding Pasta and Bacon

Once the squash is cooked, it’s time to add the other ingredients. Stir in the 350g of macaroni pasta, making sure it’s spread evenly across the slow cooker. Then, add the 8-10 rashers of finely sliced cooked smoked bacon, followed by 750ml of skimmed milk, 1 tablespoon of English mustard, and 1 tablespoon of garlic puree. Stir everything well to combine the flavors. Now, cover and cook on high for another hour. During this time, the pasta will cook directly in the slow cooker, absorbing all the rich, savory flavors from the bacon, garlic, and mustard.

Step 3: Adding Cheese and Baking for Crispy Topping

After the pasta is fully cooked and has absorbed all the flavors, it’s time to make the dish extra creamy and cheesy. Sprinkle in 200g of grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese and give it a good stir to make sure the cheese melts evenly into the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy texture. For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle a bit more cheese on top, followed by 30-50g of breadcrumbs. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake it at a high temperature until the breadcrumbs turn golden and crispy. This will give the dish a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy mac and cheese.

Once the top is perfectly crispy and golden, remove the dish from the oven. You’re now ready to serve this decadent and cheesy bacon mac and cheese!

Necessary Tools

Slow cooker
Medium pot for boiling pasta (optional)
Grater for cheese
Baking dish (for crispy topping)

Bacon mac and cheese

Recipe by Simon Davies

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hours

Total time

hours

minutes

Ingredients

500g frozen butternut squash (or any other vegetable you prefer)
350g macaroni pasta
250ml vegetable stock
8-10 rashers of cooked smoked bacon, finely sliced
750ml skimmed milk
200g reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, grated
1 tbsp English mustard
1 tbsp garlic puree
30-50g breadcrumbs

Directions

Start by placing the frozen butternut squash into your slow cooker along with the vegetable stock. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it cook on high for about 2 hours until the squash is soft and ready to blend into the creamy sauce.
Add your macaroni pasta, cooked bacon, skimmed milk, mustard, and garlic puree. Stir everything together and cook on high for another hour. The pasta will cook right in the slow cooker, soaking up all those savory flavors.
Once everything is cooked, sprinkle in the grated Cheddar cheese and stir well until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. For an extra cheesy topping, sprinkle some more cheese and breadcrumbs over the top. Pop it into the oven until the breadcrumbs are crispy and golden.
Once the top is perfectly crispy, it’s ready to serve. Enjoy this rich and cheesy dish!

Notes

When adding the macaroni pasta to the slow cooker, make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid to ensure it cooks evenly.
Keep an eye on the breadcrumbs in the oven. They can burn quickly, so check after a few minutes to ensure they’re just crispy and golden, not burnt.
If you prefer a creamier mac and cheese, you can add a little more milk towards the end of cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this bacon mac and cheese with a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh green salad for a balanced meal. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, a slice of garlic bread will complement it perfectly!

Fun Fact

Did you know that bacon dates all the way back to the Romans? They were making a form of cured pork that resembles today’s bacon! It’s been a favorite for centuries—no wonder it tastes so good with everything!

Conclusion

This bacon mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! It’s super easy to make in the slow cooker, so you can relax while it cooks. Plus, the crispy breadcrumb topping adds that perfect crunch. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or for a cozy night in, this dish will definitely hit the spot. Enjoy!