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Home » All Recipes » Easy Midweek Meal Ideas » Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese

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Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese

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Thought nothing could beat regular macaroni cheese? What about creamy cheesy macaroni with salty, smoky bacon and sweet, buttery leeks, all topped with the crunchiest, crispest panko breadcrumb topping and extra cheese. Have I convinced you yet? Then you are going to love my Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese! #bacon #leek #leeks #macaroni #macaronicheese #macandcheese #macncheese #baconmacncheese

Thought nothing could beat regular macaroni cheese? What about creamy, cheesy macaroni with salty, smoky bacon and sweet, buttery leeks, all topped with the crunchiest, crispest panko breadcrumb topping and extra cheese? Have I convinced you yet? Then you are going to love my Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese!

Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and Leeks

I am so excited about this recipe…because, let’s face it, it’s hard to better a classic, but with this new recipe I think I’ve just gone and done it!! Macaroni cheese (or mac and cheese as my US friends would say) has been one of the staples in my life since, maybe forever…it’s something my mum always made as an easy weeknight dinner for us as kids and something I’ve made countless times since…it’s one of my easy fallback dinner options for when it’s been a busy day and the cupboard is bare.

It’s so easy to throw together and shove in the oven and so, so delicious…especially if you add a little Dijon mustard to the cheese sauce 🙂

Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and Leeks

I have a couple of versions on my blog…my Super Simple Macaroni Cheese which is a pretty classic mac and cheese recipe with a couple of neat little twists – it was actually the second recipe I ever shared on this blog (do go and have a laugh at the terrible photos!) and then another version involving butternut squash in the sauce that I imaginatively called Easy Butternut Squash Macaroni Cheese, which is really yummy too and just that teensy bit healthier.

Butternut Squash Macaroni Cheese

Easy Butternut Squash Macaroni Cheese

But to be honest, I never thought I would better my classic macaroni cheese…until I came up with this version. It’s insane… leeks and bacon is a bit of an awesome combo anyway, but when added to this gorgeous creamy, cheesy macaroni, it totally takes it up a notch…so far, so good, but then I threw panko breadcrumbs and extra cheese all over the top…and whoa – now you are talking. It’s just too good!!

Honestly, I ate this until I was full and then I carried on eating and then I ate a bit more whilst I was doing the washing up…and then I was sad because I had that very uncomfortable feeling in my stomach which indicates that I have eaten waaaay too much. I literally had to throw the rest in the bin to stop myself eating any more!

Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and Leeks

Seriously, if you are on a diet or attempting any kind of weight loss at the moment…DO NOT MAKE THIS – it is properly ADDICTIVE!!!

So yeah, probably not the healthiest recipe on Easy Peasy Foodie, but definitely one of the yummiest…#sorrynotsorry.

Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and Leeks

This macaroni cheese recipe also features a couple of neat tricks, one to cut down on the washing up and the other to ensure making the cheese sauce is really easy peasy (and no lumps!).

It would be quite easy to create a washing up nightmare with this recipe…one pan for the pasta, one for the cheese sauce, one for the bacon, maybe even another one for the leeks and then put it all together in an oven dish…a total of 5 pans to wash up – NO THANK YOU! To cut down on the washing up, I have cooked the bacon and the leeks in the same pan as the cheese sauce, and because I used my trusty cast iron pot, all I needed to do was stir in the pasta, sprinkle over the panko topping and shove it in the oven…thereby using only 2 pans – whoop, whoop! If you don’t have a cast iron pot, you can do the same thing with an ovenproof saucepan.

And to make the cheese sauce really easy to do, I’ve added the flour in to the pan with the bacon and leeks, stirred it around to evenly distribute and then added the milk. No idea why this works so well (I’m sure there’s some clever science behind this – do please enlighten me if you know!), but I always find that if you have some onions/leeks/carrots/bacon etc. in the pan before you add the flour, it’s so much easier to make a lovely smooth white/cheese sauce with no nasty lumps.

Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and Leeks

To go with this delicious Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese, all you need is a simple side salad – I went for a bag of mixed baby leaves, dressed with my current absolute favourite Honey, Mustard and Cider Vinegar Dressing. Or alternatively, if you are a 6 year old boy, I am reliably informed you need to serve this, or indeed any version of macaroni and cheese with a large portion of baked beans (my little boy cried last time I made macaroni cheese and didn’t make any baked beans to go with it!).

For me the best wine to go with this incarnation of macaroni cheese is a lovely crisp unoaked Chardonnay, which cuts beautifully through the richness of the cheese, bacon and butter in this recipe, but a soft red, such as Grenache or Merlot would work well here too.

Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and Leeks

 

If you like this recipe…

…you might also like:

  • Super Simple Macaroni Cheese
  • Cauliflower, Broccoli and Bacon Pasta Bake
  • Easy One Pot Tuna Pasta Bake with Broccoli and Sweetcorn
  • Easy One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Bake
  • Easy Peasy Cauliflower Cheese

 

Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and Leeks
Print Pin
4.80 from 5 votes

Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese

Thought nothing could beat regular macaroni cheese? What about creamy cheesy macaroni with salty, smoky bacon and sweet, buttery leeks, all topped with the crunchiest, crispest panko breadcrumb topping and extra cheese. Have I convinced you yet? Then you are going to love my Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine British
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 754kcal
Author Eb Gargano

Ingredients

Metric - US Customary
  • 250 g macaroni (NOT quick cook)
  • 180 g lardons or diced smoked bacon
  • 40 g butter
  • 1 large leek sliced
  • 20 g plain flour
  • 500 ml milk
  • Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 100 g mature cheddar cheese grated
  • 50 g panko breadcrumbs
  • 100 g salad leaves (to serve)
  • 1 quantity Honey, Mustard and Cider Vinegar dressing (to serve)

Instructions

  • Pre heat your oven to 220C / 200C / gas mark 7 / 425F.
  • Cook the macaroni in plenty of boiling salted water for about 3 minutes less than you would normally do it. This is important or your macaroni will end up soggy and stodgy. Drain reserving a little of the cooking water.
  • Heat a wide oven proof saucepan or cast iron casserole dish over a high heat and add the lardons (or diced bacon). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until starting to brown.
  • Turn down the heat and add the butter. When the butter is melted add the leeks and fry with the lid on for about 3 minutes, until the leeks are nicely softened.
  • Sprinkle over the plain flour and stir well, then add the milk very slowly, stirring constantly until thickened. When the sauce is roughly the thickness of double (heavy) cream add in a few twists of black pepper, the Dijon mustard and 50g/2oz of the cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and then turn the heat off.
  • In a small bowl place the panko breadcrumbs and the remaining 50g/2oz of the cheese. Mix together to make the topping.
  • Tip the macaroni into the cheese sauce, together with about a tablespoon of the cooking water, and stir to combine. Scatter the panko topping evenly over the top and place in your preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

Notes

Whatever you do, do not make this with quick cook macaroni…or it will end in total disaster, AKA mush…you have been warned! 😉
Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

Nutrition Facts
Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 754 Calories from Fat 360
% Daily Value*
Fat 40g62%
Saturated Fat 19g119%
Cholesterol 89mg30%
Sodium 698mg30%
Potassium 525mg15%
Carbohydrates 70g23%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 1375IU28%
Vitamin C 8.5mg10%
Calcium 374mg37%
Iron 2.6mg14%
* % Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet
Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comments below.

 

Want more delicious and hassle-free midweek meals? Find more here…

20 Delicious & Hassle Free Midweek Meal Ideas

 

Pin Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese for later

Thought nothing could beat regular macaroni cheese? What about creamy cheesy macaroni with salty, smoky bacon and sweet, buttery leeks, all topped with the crunchiest, crispest panko breadcrumb topping and extra cheese. Have I convinced you yet? Then you are going to love my Leek and Bacon Macaroni Cheese!

 

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330 shares


18 Comments

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Comments

  1. Corina says

    11th May 2017 at 1:11 pm

    Oh yummy! I’m sure adding bacon makes anything cheesy even better as it’s such a great combination and gives so much flavour. The leeks must go so well too and at least you can feel you’ve made the macaroni cheese just a little bit healthier by adding some vegetables! x

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      11th May 2017 at 5:26 pm

      Hahaha – yes, if you eat enough of it, this macaroni cheese will probably give you 1 of your 5 a day – practically a health food then!! ;-D Eb x

      Reply
  2. Julie McPherson says

    12th May 2017 at 8:10 pm

    I love macaroni cheese, in fact I remember craving it when pregnant. Adding bacon to it takes it a whole new level. Commenting as BritMums Baking Round-up Editor.

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      13th May 2017 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks Julie 😀 It really is soooo good!! Eb x

      Reply
  3. Mandy says

    14th May 2017 at 9:16 pm

    Macaroni cheese and baked beans! I love the sound of that. Kids are hilarious. I would leave the bacon out of this of course but the leeks and the panko breadcrumbs sound like the perfect additions to mac n cheese.

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      14th May 2017 at 9:23 pm

      I reckon it would still be a very good Mac n Cheese even without the bacon…and you could always sneak in a few extra veggies too! My son is obsessed with baked beans…they are by far his favourite food group 😀 and must be present with macaroni cheese or there will be guaranteed tears!!! Eb x

      Reply
  4. Midge @Peachicks' Bakery says

    15th May 2017 at 4:46 pm

    ok so ordinarily not a fan of mac & cheese (too much of a dairy-fest for me) BUT this looks lovely. I love the idea of panko on the top – I usually put stuffing mix on but def going to try breadcrumbs next time I make a dairyfree version for home! Also know that the leek/bacon combo would be VERY popular in this house! Thanks for sharing x

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      15th May 2017 at 9:11 pm

      Yey! I’m glad I’ve tempted you with my Mac and Cheese! The leek bacon thing is a little bit awesome and the panko breadcrumbs just makes it!! Although I am rather liking the stuffing mix idea…you have just planted a little seed of an idea in my head…watch this space! 😀 Eb x

      Reply
  5. emma says

    18th May 2017 at 7:36 pm

    OMG, I just want to eat all your food!! Macaroni and cheese is one of the only dishes my husband makes – but it’t not as posh as this, haha! #freefromfridays

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      18th May 2017 at 11:23 pm

      Aw, Emma – thank you!! Do you know what, this may look posh, but it really isn’t – it’s almost as easy as the standard version…and in some ways easier (the cheese sauce is actually easier to make this way), but it really does taste very good!! Ppretty much that’s what I aim to do for all my food – recipes that look and taste fancy, but are secretly very easy indeed! Eb x

      Reply
  6. Jan says

    14th February 2018 at 8:57 pm

    This is a winner! I’ve made it 3 times in the last month! My son requested it again the second time and I made it for my husband tonight. As there is 3 of us my son took leftovers to school to share with his girlfriend the next day, who says romance is dead? The only change was to add more milk for more sauce to dunk garlic bread into!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      15th February 2018 at 11:41 am

      Thanks so much for this lovely comment Jan! I am so pleased you and your family love it so much – you have made my day!! Eb 🙂

      Reply
  7. Chris says

    15th April 2020 at 7:00 am

    OMG! Most delicious recipe ever! Made this last week with unsmoked bacon and it was great. Made it again last night with smoked bacon and it took it to a whole new level again. My husband must have said how fantastic it was about 30 times. I make my own breadcrumbs but next time might try crushing some plain crisps on and then top with the cheese. YUMMY!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      15th April 2020 at 11:16 am

      Yay! Thank you so much for this lovely comment and for the 5* rating. Delighted to hear you and your husband loved it so much. Love the idea of using crisps instead of breadcrumbs! Eb 🙂

      Reply
  8. Louise says

    10th January 2021 at 3:50 pm

    Making this was the best decision I have made. I looked at so many recipes but am so glad I chose this one. I used red onions instead of leeks as thats what I had available (cooked in a dash of chilli oil), and I may have been extra generous with the cheese, but it was so worth it. Me and my other half managed to polish off the whole thing between us, I even went back for seconds when I didn’t need them. Definitely keeping hold of this recipe.

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      11th January 2021 at 10:39 am

      Aw, yay! Thank you for this lovely comment 😀 I am delighted that you and your OH liked this so much! Eb 🙂

      Reply
  9. Effie says

    24th September 2022 at 9:06 pm

    Maid this again today. It’s a recipe I keep coming back to. Mac & cheese is the ultimate comfort food, but add leeks and bacon to it, which I love, and it becomes extra special. So very yummy!!!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      26th September 2022 at 8:59 am

      Aw, I am so happy to hear that. And I totally that leeks and bacon take macaroni cheese to the next level! Thanks so much for leaving a review… and especially for the 5 star rating! Eb 🙂

      Reply

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Hi and welcome to Easy Peasy Foodie! I’m Eb – a professional blogger, busy mum and passionate foodie and it is my mission in life to make cooking EASIER and MORE DELICIOUS! READ MORE

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