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Home > American Recipes > Mac and Cheese Carbonara

Mac and Cheese Carbonara

November 14, 2013 by Denise Browning 45 Comments / THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE SALES LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY _FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY_ FOR DETAILS


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Hello, y’all! I hope you were excited about our last holiday side dish, my famous Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk, Bacon, and Cilantro. This time I am going to be sharing with you Mac and Cheese Carbonara, a recipe adapted from Chef Bobby Flay.

I though this mac and cheese might be a great side dish to add to either our Thanksgiving or Christmas table — or as an everyday main dish as well. Chef Bobby Flay’s Mac and Cheese Carbonara is a scrumptious variation on the traditional mac and cheese. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the traditional mac and cheese, but having something familiar on our plates with a new flavor can be exciting, don’t you think?

Mac and Cheese Carbonara

In case you didn’t know, the term Carbonara applies to an Italian pasta dish from Rome that was created in the middle of the 20th century, and is based on eggs, cheese (Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano), bacon or pancetta, and black pepper. Although spaghetti is the customary pasta used, we will be using elbow macaroni to compose our mac and cheese carbonara… A real fusion between American and Italian cuisine!!

Mac and Cheese Carbonara

I hope that you enjoy our creamy mac and cheese as much as my family and I did.

xx

a baking dish with baked pasta
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5 from 7 votes

Mac & Cheese Carbonara

This creamy and delicious mac and cheese can be either served as a main or side dish. It is an exciting variation on the traditional mac and cheese!!!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 -8
Author Denise Browning

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 strips of uncooked smoked bacon cut into small dice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 - 7 cups whole milk heated
  • 4 large egg yolks lightly whisked
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups freshly grated Asiago cheese plus more for the top
  • 1-1/2 cups white Cheddar plus more for the top
  • 1-1/2 cups sharp yellow Cheddar plus more for the top
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese plus more for the top
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano plus more for the top
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni cooked just under al dente
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped Italian parley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (about 177 degrees C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 3-quart baking dish with butter and set aside.
  • In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.
  • Add the garlic to the pan and cook until lightly golden brown. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Next, whisk in 6 cups of the hot milk, increase the heat to high, and cook, whisking constantly until thickened, for 3-5 minutes. Whisk in the light beaten egg yolks until incorporated and let cook for 1- 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in the chopped chives, cayenne, and all of the cheese until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper. If the mixture appears too thick, add some of the remaining milk 1/4 cup at a time.
  • Mix in the cooked macaroni, reserved bacon and chopped parsley, and stir until combined. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Combine together additional Asiago, Cheddars, Mozzarella, and Parmigiano cheeses in a bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni. Bake in the oven until heated through and the top is lightly golden brown (about 12-15 minutes). Remove from the oven and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

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Filed Under: American Recipes, Easy And Delish, Side Dishes, Weeknight Meals/Dinner Tagged With: (Bacon), Cheese, mac and cheese

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Previous Post: « Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk, Bacon, and Cilantro
Next Post: “Pass the Prosciutto – Bruleed Pears with Prosciutto, Cranberry Sauce, and Goat Cheese” »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shema | LifeScoops

    November 14, 2013 at 10:49 am

    5 stars
    Looks so rich and creamy….Our family loves mac and cheese… I love this fusion dish…I will try this out soon!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 14, 2013 at 3:17 pm

      Thanks, Shema! Enjoy!!!

      Reply
  2. Dedy@Dentist Chef

    November 14, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    wow, i can smells the cheezy goodies when you pop it out from the oven……..
    nice photograph too!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

      Thanks, Dedy!

      Reply
  3. Sugar et al

    November 15, 2013 at 12:18 am

    Oh Wow! This looks stunning Denise! I could pin this a 100 times. And two of my favourites..mac and cheese and carbonara! You are amazing!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

      Thanks, Sonali!

      Reply
  4. Little Cooking Tips

    November 15, 2013 at 3:23 am

    5 stars
    Deeee-licious! Great casserole Denise! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

      Thank you for stopping by, Little Cooking Tips!

      Reply
  5. The Café Sucre Farine

    November 15, 2013 at 7:03 am

    I could most definitely make a meal out of this, wow. what a combination!!!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 15, 2013 at 7:41 am

      Thanks, Chris!

      Reply
  6. Ana Cláudia

    November 15, 2013 at 9:19 am

    Traduzi a receita no tradutor do google Denise, mas realmente percebi que alguns nomes de queijos são desconhecidos para nós no Brasil. Mas vou encontrar outras receitas deliciosas que certamente poderei fazer. Lindos pratos, ver isso na hora do almoço e não poder experimentá-los é judiação, kkk. Parabéns.

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 15, 2013 at 9:29 am

      kkkk Sinto muito, Ana querida! Quisera eu que os ingredientes estivessem disponíveis aí no Brasil. Mac and Cheese sempre foi um dos meus pratos americanos favoritos. Muito obrigada por sua visita. Bjs.

      Reply
  7. Liz

    November 15, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Who knew you could make mac and cheese even better???? Your carbonara version looks incredible, Denise!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 16, 2013 at 7:53 am

      Thanks, Liz!

      Reply
  8. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    November 15, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    This looks so comforting! I don’t know when I’ll take a plunge and try mac and cheese. The cheese scares me 😀

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 16, 2013 at 7:52 am

      Kiran: The cheese is the best part of the dish…:)

      Reply
  9. Deb

    November 16, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    Oh my goodness! This Carbonara is so luscious I want to have this for dinner instead of the holidays, that way I will have room for a second scoop!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 16, 2013 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks so much, my dear Deb! You are always so amazing and sweet!

      Reply
  10. nusrat2010

    November 16, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    5 stars
    Jesus tap dancing Christ! Your golden mac and cheese shots almost gave me a heart attack! That dish looks like a gold mine!

    I could die a million deaths just to have only a spoon full of that cheesy beauty 🙂

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 17, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      Thanks, Nusrat! This was one delicious dish!!!

      Reply
  11. Ash-foodfashionparty

    November 17, 2013 at 11:37 am

    Wohoooo, girl this is out of the world crazy good looking.
    I agree with Nusrat, it looks like golden heaven, I reallllllly am tempted to take a dip. The pictures are pinterest gold mine, seriously looks so good.

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 17, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      Thanks, my dear!

      Reply
  12. john@kitchenriffs

    November 17, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Terrific dish! I use bacon in my mac ‘n cheese sometime, but have never gone whole carbonara treatment. Love the idea! So good – thanks.

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 17, 2013 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks, John! This recipe from Chef Bobby Flay is terrific!

      Reply
  13. Amy Tong

    November 18, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my! Your Mac and Cheese Carbonara looks so decadent and absolutely my kind of comfort food!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 18, 2013 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks a lot, Amy!

      Reply
  14. Cquek

    November 18, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    Oh yes lots of cheese I am going to have that on the weekend.

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 19, 2013 at 7:13 am

      Enjoy, Cquek!

      Reply
  15. Coffee and Crumpets

    November 18, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    A nice twist on the traditional Denise! Looks really good!

    Nazneen

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 19, 2013 at 7:12 am

      Thanks, Nazneen! Chef Bobby Flay did a great job on this recipe.

      Reply
  16. Raymund

    November 18, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    5 stars
    My daughters two favorite things combined into one, she would love this so much

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 19, 2013 at 7:14 am

      Me too, Raymund! I love both pasta and cheese.

      Reply
  17. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

    November 19, 2013 at 11:49 am

    I need this mac and cheese in my belly asap! Looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 19, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      Enjoy, Pamela! This is a great recipe from Chef Bobby Flay.

      Reply
  18. Leslie

    November 19, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    This looks amazing but the 6 1/2 cups of cheese will have to stop me.

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 19, 2013 at 10:54 pm

      LOL…I know!!!! But it is what makes this dish so good…

      Reply
  19. Asmita

    November 21, 2013 at 10:51 am

    Omg!
    This looks incredible!!!

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 21, 2013 at 10:53 am

      Thanks, Asmita!

      Reply
  20. Sowmya

    November 21, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    5 stars
    This looks fantastic! Definitely on my must make list

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      November 22, 2013 at 5:55 am

      Thanks, Sowmya!

      Reply
  21. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    December 9, 2013 at 2:11 am

    5 stars
    Hi Denise! I completely missed this delicious mac and cheese carbonara! Love how cheesy this looks! Sounds like this dish is something that my family would love to eat any day! I can imagine myself cleaning up a plate. 😉

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      December 9, 2013 at 7:24 am

      Thanks, Nami! My family is a fan of mac and cheese as well. We had a great time eating it.

      Reply
  22. Jaime

    January 9, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    It looks fabulous!!!! Such a yummy comfort food.

    Reply
    • Denise Browning

      January 10, 2014 at 7:37 am

      Thanks, Jaime! It is great to have you visiting me here. This is a different Mac and Cheese since it takes double load of cheese plus bacon. My hubby and I love this dish! Enjoy!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Denise Browning!

I'm a professional Chef with an expertise in Brazilian food. I am also a busy mom of two girls, living in Texas. Here you will find budget-friendly, healthy Brazilian and Global Recipes made Easy and Delish! I'd love to help you feed your family healthy dinners (many low carb) with a few splurges because life is all about balance! Join our community and happy cooking!

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