This Jamaican Jerk Bacon Mac & Cheese recipe is a deliciously creamy and slightly spicy version of the classic comfort food. Homemade bacon recipe included!
The BEST Bacon Mac & 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 Mac & Cheese recipe next time you want a different kind of macaroni and cheese!
Jamaican Jerk Bacon Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry cavatappi pasta
- 1/2 cup Jamaican jerk bacon, cut into 1/4" dice (can substitute any kind of spicy, pepper bacon or regular bacon)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 cup sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 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!
GiGi Eats says
My fiance ADORES hot dogs and mac & cheese – I bet if I put bacon in it, he would GO NUTSSSSS!
[email protected] says
Yes, he would. Hot dogs, mac & cheese, and bacon? That’s cray-cray!
Vineetha @ Mint and Mimosas says
Cavatappi pasta is amazing, particularly with a cheesy sauce. Um, and Jamaican Jerk Bacon?! This dish meets everyone of my requirements for deliciousness…loads of flavor + bacon + cheesy pasta, how can you not go wrong?! Love it!
[email protected] says
I agree Vineetha! You can’t go wrong with pasta, cheese, or bacon ever!
Erika @ Love&Custard says
I love this post for so many reasons!! That tiara story is priceless – it quite literally made me LOL as they say. I also love that J got you such great presents. Those crisps as we humble Brits call chips are fab! Then there’s the recipe. Love love love! You’re so right that cheese can only be made better with bacon and Jamaican jerk at that. I showed this to my husband and I almost had to prise his hands off my phone. Next date night, this is what I’m cookin’!
[email protected] says
Thank you Erika! Yes, those crisps were fab! I wish I had another bag, or two, of them even though I totally don’t need them at all. Cheese, bacon, and pasta is a man’s kind of meal so hope you do make this for your Hubby
simonacallas says
What a great recipe! Who wouldn’t like mac and cheese? I’m not familiar with Jamaican cuisine, but I often prepare a dish with mac, cheese, bacon and cream – is one of our favorite meals. Good luck with the diet!
[email protected] says
Thank you Simona! Jamaican cuisine is the best, especially if you like spicy. I love that you make a mac and cheese with bacon too. Is the recipe on your site? I’d love to make it. Oh yeah, I already failed terribly at the diet. Ate two grilled cheese sandwiches today for lunch!
simonacallas says
I am sorry to hear about your diet, I know it’s not easy, especially when you have a food blog. I am trying to lose a few kilos and how on Earth could I do that, when my blog is (almost) all about cakes and cookies?
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Haha, I LOVE that he got you chips! The four flavors in one bag does sounds brilliant…as does this seriously swoon-worthy mac and cheese! Bacon totally makes anything better, especially cheesy goodness like this. I want a big bowl of this ASAP!
[email protected] says
Let me tell you Rachel, the four flavors in one chip bag is out of control! Now one flavor chip bags are just too boring. hahahaha! Thanks a lot and you’re right, bacon does make anything better
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Lol! If a man gift wraps your favorite food – he’s definitely a keeper. You and your hubby sound way too cute!
So I love jerk seasoning, but I never thought to use it on bacon, let alone then mixed into a mac n’ cheese recipe – genius! And the perfect dish for a cold and rainy day like today.
[email protected] says
He likes food just as much as I do so I’ve got to keep him. Thanks and bacon in mac n’ cheese is killer, but then again bacon in anything is killer.
Katie Crenshaw says
Karrie,
You are truly a woman of my own heart. We are kindred spirits, I just know it! I have a crazy obsession with chips myself. While I snub my nose at the fast food chains for their mass produced, highly processed food… I will have no shame in buying bags of the salty chips… in all flavors… They are one of my epic cheat foods. My daughter and I were just discussing how when watching a really good movie, we would much rather have chips and dip over a bag of popcorn any day. I have tried substituting kale and zucchini chips on my “healthy eating days,” but they just don’t cut it. Now I am so intrigued about these Storm Chips from Canada. Your hubby is a good man.
Your Jamaican Jerk Bacon Mac & Cheese looks pretty freakin awesome! I am so going to make this for the family. This looks like something everyone will enjoy. Happy New Years!
[email protected] says
Maybe one day we can get together to hang out and eat some chips! We need to have your pickle dip too. Even when I’m trying to eat healthier, I still eat chips but the olive oil ones because then I rationalize that I’m not cheating (I mean it’s just potato, olive oil, and salt so that’s not bad). Thanks for your kind words my friend and happy new year!
Loreto @sugarlovespices says
Hi Karrie
You are hilarious I thoroughly enjoyed this post and your love of potato chips. The idea of Jerk bacon in a mac and cheese is brilliant. The gooey goodness of the cheese soothed by the macaroni and then some nice spice from the bacon yum and more yum. Then you go on to give me that vision of those mac and cheese bites fried crispy on the outside and all melted cheesy on the inside, now you are speaking my language. Take care and keep doing what you’re doing, it takes a talent to make people smile. Happy cooking.
[email protected] says
Thank you Loreto! Happy New Year to you and Nicoletta. Here’s to a wonderful 2016 and to meeting up in Boston this summer
kushi says
WOW! This looks super delicious. Wish you a very happy new year
[email protected] says
Happy New Year to you Kushi!!!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
That Canadian bag of chips is an epic Christmas gift and chips are totally my jam! I can’t believe they crammed four different kinds of chips in one bag! No wonder I didn’t recognize the label! And who doesn’t love some good mac ‘n cheese? That Jamaican jerk bacon in there is just an absolute genius move! Happy New Year, Karrie! I hope you get that tiara soon because you totally deserve it!
[email protected] says
Oh girl, I knew chips would be your jam. You would have loved these, they were soooo good! Next time I get a bag, I’ll mail you a few chips in a ziplock baggie. lol! Thanks for saying I deserve a tiara because I think that too! Happy New Year Buddy
[email protected] says
So maybe we were separated at birth because I think I have chips running through my veins. I too have an insane craving for them… always! I have not had these Canadian chips but I must somehow get my hands on them! And this pasta will be my first cheat meal of the new year! happy New Year, luv! So happy to have met you in 2015! xo
[email protected] says
We could be long lost twinies! I wish you lived closer because I would have shared my chip bag with you. I ate way too many of them during a two day period. It wasn’t pretty but they were so delicious! Happy New Year to you too Annie and very glad I met you last year. xoxo
Thao @In Good Flavor says
This mac n’ cheese looks delicious, Karrie! Jerk bacon is a fantastic addition to the pasta dish! I think the potato chip gift is adorable! J knows how to find his way to your heart. Similarly, my husband knows the way to my heart is not by bringing home roses but with turnip greens from Cracker Barrel. I hope your diet is getting off to a good start!
[email protected] says
Many thanks Thao! I love that your Husband brings you Cracker Barrel turnip greens (any food from Cracker Barrel is a big win in my book!).
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen says
Haha, Karrie, tell me about that (About all consumed food). I mean, my body craves for spinach, beets, and celery for the next few weeks. And I don’t even like celery – so you’ve got my point! I even cannot think about my favorite pasta now. But this creamy mac ‘n cheese still looks and sounds fantastic to me. Love this idea of incorporating jerk bacon. Well done, indeed!
[email protected] says
Thank you Ben and good for you on your body craving fresh veggies. Mine is still craving chocolate! hahaha!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
Way to take mac & cheese to a whole new level! This sounds so incredible and I’m just sorry you can’t enjoy it until the diet is over… but thanks for passing it along to us in the meantime! I know my whole family will LOVE this dinner! And not that we’ll have leftovers, but what a great idea to fry them up into fun tasty treats. Cheers to a happy new year!
[email protected] says
Thanks Kathryn and cheers to you too! We never have mac & cheese leftovers so next time I’m making a double batch so I can make the fried bites.
Heather Wells says
You had me at bacon….
[email protected] says
I know how much you like bacon. You should also make your child this instead of that prepackaged stuff your Mama buys. Just sayin’
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I love the extra fragile gift you received! What fun! Now this mac and cheese sounds over the top delicious! Bacon! Yum!!! Good luck cleaning out the rest of that pantry!
[email protected] says
Thanks Kathy and I have totally failed at my New Years diet because still working on eating all the chocolate in my pantry!
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says
Omg, you already know about my love of Jamaican Jerk Chicken, I’ve expressed this to you….THIS IS AMAZING!! Creamy mac n cheese with spicy bacon!! I die. Eff New Years resolutions…I am totally making this!! If only I could have a bag of those potato chips too…your hubby is a smart, wonderful man! And Canadians rule!
Happy happy New Year, Karrie! Enjoy the chips and pasta <3
[email protected] says
Happy New Year Beeta! You are too funny and seriously, doesn’t everyone love Jamaican jerk seasoning and bacon and creamy mac & cheese? If they don’t, then they should or it’s just more for us
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Happy New Year my sweets! I still think that bag of chips was an epic Christmas gift! Next time the hubster is in Canada tell him to pick me up some. This mac n cheese looks dang delicious, Karrie! Loving the jerk spin on it! And heck yes to adding bacon!! Im thinking I won’t have left overs of this, but Jamaican mac n cheese bites sound pretty Flippin amaze-balls! Pinned! Cheers my dear and good luck with your no fun diet! Xo
[email protected] says
Thanks Chey and I will most def get you a big bag of Canadian chips! xoxo