Queso Mac and Cheese with Bacon - cheesy macaroni baked in creamy, spicy queso sauce with bacon. Cheese lovers - this one is for you!
QUESO MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON
Today is Cheese Lover's Day and we are celebrating with a cheesy mac with creamy queso sauce and bacon. Perfect for this time of year when we are all craving comfort food. This queso mac is great for a game day party to keep your guests happy. Besides, who can ever say no to queso and bacon?
We are huge cheese lovers here and if you visited our blog before, you know that. I will take any chance to play with cheese in my kitchen and my family loves the results. Gooey, melty cheese always makes me swoon! Add spicy queso and bacon and you have an instant winner! Another favorite is my Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese and my Instant Pot Mac and Cheese that my kids just love!
To celebrate the Cheese Lover's Day, I am teaming up with the Wisconsin Cheese Marketing Board to bring you this super cheesy recipe. We all know the best cheese is from Wisconsin and when it comes to macaroni and cheese, the best is what you need! For this recipe, I used Wisconsin Colby Jack cheese and Wisconsin sharp cheddar cheese. The combo of these two paired perfectly with the southwestern flavors of the spicy, creamy sauce. Top it with more cheese and you have one knock-your-socks-off dish!
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Queso Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni uncooked
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon chili pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 slices of bacon chopped
- ½ medium sweet onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 can 4.5oz diced green chiles, drained
- 1.5 c Colby jack cheese shredded
- 1 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese for topping
Instructions
- Grease 2 qt casserole dish. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cook macaroni according to directions on package. Drain and keep warm.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, cornstarch, cumin, paprika, chili pepper, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, cook bacon until almost crispy. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until translucent.
- Add milk mixture to sauteed veggies and bacon. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens.
- Add both cheeses, stir few times. Add diced green chiles. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
- Add cooked macaroni. Stir until well combined.
- Pour the macaroni into prepared casserole dish. Top with additional cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the cheese topping is melted.
- You can place the dish under a broiler for 2 minutes to toast up the topping.
- Remove dish from oven and cool for 15 minutes.
- Serve.
Nutrition
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Wisconsin Cheese. All text, opinions, and photos are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make this blog happen.
TIFFANY MARSHALL says
Just made it. Very easy and the flavor is amazing. Thank you for such a wonderful dish.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Tiffany! THANK YOU for making the recipe and coming back to let me know! 😀 I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Kristyn says
This looks incredible!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Kimberly Ann says
Oh this looks so cheesy and delicious!
Susan says
This looks like mac and cheese perfection! Plus bacon is not optional in my book!
Heather says
Bacon makes everything amazing!
Megan Keno says
Holy cow! I think I am in Mac and Cheese heaven! Wow... I am so tempted to run to the store just so I can make this tonight!
Carrie says
Are you kidding me with this?? WOW! 🙂 I try to make from scratch mac & cheese for my family at least once a month, and I almost always add bacon. But I am loving the queso and the spice in your's! Going to have to try this recipe next time.
Erin says
I love me some Wisconsin cheese! Especially when it's in the form of mac and cheese. I love your spin on it!
Muna Kenny says
Oh My Lord! Mac and Cheese is my weakness and joy. Your version look irresistible and delicious. I can't wait to try it. going to mac and cheese to get the recipe 🙂
jennie says
Girl, my bottom lip just hit the floor. You are killing it with this cheese-y goodness.
Sue says
Be still my heart! Consider my socks knocked off 🙂
Erin says
WOW! First of all, mac and cheese=YUM. Then add in queso? What a brilliant idea! This looks so creamy and gooey. I just had breakfast and I could already go for some of this! Pinning!
Chelsea says
I LOVE mac and cheese! It is one of my favorite winter comfort foods! And this one looks like the best possible version -- bacon and queso?! YESS!