This Southern Mac and Cheese is a decadent take on a classic dish. I add crispy fried bacon and leeks to this cheesy dish to elevate it from great to absolutely amazing! Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. I love to make it in advance and when I get home from a day’s activities, I bake it in the oven and enjoy!
To make this I start by frying bacon in some olive oil. Then I cook some leeks slightly in a large pot of boiling water. I make a velvet smooth cheese sauce from flour, milk, dry mustard and cheese. Assemble the mac and cheese bake by mixing the pasta, cheese sauce, bacon and leek together in an ovenproof dish and bake in the oven for 35 minutes. Yum!
To make Southern Mac and Cheese, you will need the following ingredients:
Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
Pour the oil into a large pan or skillet. Cook the bacon over medium heat until it is crispy. Remove and drain the bacon on paper towels.
Add boiling water to a Dutch oven. Cook the leeks in the water for about 5 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking process. Drain.
Follow the package directions to cook the pasta al dente. Drain well.
Place the butter in a large skillet and melt it over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Cook while whisking constantly for two minutes. It should turn a golden brown color. Whisk in the milk gradually and continue to cook while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Whisk in dry mustard, salt, black and red pepper and ½ cup of cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese melts.
Remove from heat and set to one side. Check and adjust the seasoning.
Mix the pasta, cheese sauce and half each of the crispy bacon and leeks and one egg yolk together. Mix in the Gruyère cheese and the remaining ½ cup of Cheddar cheese.
Place the pasta mixture in a greased 8-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Top with the remaining bacon and leeks. Drizzle cream over the top and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
Bake in the oven for 35 minutes until it is golden and bubbling. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
Serve as it is or with a fresh green salad.
This Southern Mac and Cheese is an amazingly decadent take on this classic dish! Velvet sauce, cavatappi pasta, bacon and leek - the best ingredient combination! Try it soon and don’t forget to come back and leave a review!
