Jamaican Jerk Bacon Stovetop Mac and Cheese is a deliciously creamy and slightly spicy version of the classic comfort food. Homemade bacon recipe included!
An Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe
The idea for this Jamaican Jerk Bacon Mac & Cheese recipe came about after I had just made a batch of my Jamaican Jerk bacon.
I knew I had to make one of J's favorite foods in the whole entire world, macaroni and cheese.
That guy would eat it every day, at every meal, if he could.
So I started wondering, what would make cheesy, creamy macaroni & cheese better? Adding bacon of course, 'cause bacon makes everything better.
Cheese, pasta, and bacon? Is there any better way to eat mac & cheese? Probably not.
Another thing I love about this recipe is that it is made on the stovetop, instead of oven baked.
As much as I love a creamy baked mac and cheese, the whole one-pot thing just makes life a little easier.
Got leftovers? Make some Mac and Cheese Bites!
If you are lucky enough to have any leftovers, make some crispy mac and cheese bites. Just take a couple of tablespoons of the chilled mac and cheese and shape it into a ball. Dip each ball in an egg wash and roll in flour or bread crumbs. Fry the balls in hot oil for a few minutes and you've got crispy cheese balls for the best appetizers or for a kids meal!
By the way, here's one of my foodie Xmas gifts...a huge bag of Storm Chips! J picked these up for me while in was in Canada a few days before the Christmas holiday. He also bought me enough dark chocolate for about 50 people, which he then proceeded to try to stuff all of it in my stocking.
He wrapped this chip bag in pretty Christmas paper and, as he placed it on my lap Christmas morning, he said it was very fragile and I should be very careful opening it. Immediately my rational mind thought "Hell yeah! He got me a tiara!" Now, I don't quite understand why I initially thought this, other than:
- Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale character and I've always envisioned myself to be a little like her. Was probably thinking here's my chance to finally live out my dream of being the princess I know I am.
- Thinking the gift was a tiara is helluva less crazy than thinking it could be a bag of potato chips.
Surely, people will read this and think gifting someone a bag of chips is a little weird, but not for me, because I am insanely obsessed with potato chips.
Try this Jamaican Jerk Bacon Stovetop Mac and Cheese recipe next time you want a different kind of macaroni and cheese!
Recipe
Jamaican Jerk Bacon Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry cavatappi pasta, or use your favorite pasta shape
- ½ cup Jamaican jerk bacon, cut into ¼" dice (can substitute any kind of spicy, pepper bacon or plain bacon)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 cup sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, fry the diced jerk bacon in a medium sized pan over medium heat until brown and cooked through. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until mixture thickens. Whisk in the three cheeses and the salt, whisking until the cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir the cooked pasta and jerk bacon into the sauce and heat through, about a minute or two.
- Serve as a side dish or as a main dish with a salad or green vegetable. Enjoy!
Katie Crenshaw
Made this last night for a dinner party and it turned out so good. Everyone loved it. Highly recommend.
Karrie
Thank you Katie and very happy everyone loved it!
Elizabeth Miller
This was so creamy and I liked the way it was all cooked on the stovetop. Quick and easy!
Karrie@tastyeverafter
Thank you Elizabeth!
Gerry Moore
Didn't have time to make your bacon so I just used regular bacon and added jerk seasoning to the mac and cheese. The flavors were incredible! I mean who doesn't love cheese and bacon??
Karrie@tastyeverafter
Thanks Gerry and I think cheese and bacon are the best combo!
Heather
You had me at bacon! I added cracked pepper bacon and it was delicious! Recipe was easy to make too and I saved it to use whenever I want mac n cheese 🙂
Karrie@tastyeverafter
That's awesome Heather and thanks for your review!
Shawn
What a great recipe! Served this with a salad for dinner and really liked the jerk bacon in it. Our 3 year old even ate it!
Karrie@tastyeverafter
Thank you Shawn and love that your 3 year old is already a foodie!
Karen S
I didn't have any bacon and left it out, but the Mac & Cheese was fantastic!
Karrie@tastyeverafter
Thanks Karen!
A.W.
We are a family of mac-n-cheese connoisseurs and I knew this recipe was going to be good when I saw the bacon in it. Added plain bacon and now everyone wants me to add bacon every time I make mac-n-chese. lol. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Karrie@tastyeverafter
OMG, that's too funny and bacon makes everything better!
Allison G.
This is the best mac and cheese I've ever made! I've never thought about using pepper jack cheese before but we really liked the spiciness it brought to the pasta. Will be making this again soon!
Karrie@tastyeverafter
Thanks Allison!