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    Home > American Recipes

    Published: Nov 14, 2013 · Modified: Nov 20, 2018 by Denise Browning · "This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission." · 44 Comments

    Mac and Cheese Carbonara


    Jump to Recipe ↓


    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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    4.94 from 15 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
    • 1-½ cups white Cheddar plus more for the top
    • 1-½ cups sharp yellow Cheddar plus more for the top
    • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese plus more for the top
    • ½ 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
    • ½ 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 ¼ 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

    To visit its original source, please click here.

    ** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.

    Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.

    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Comment and rate the recipe. Also follow us on Pinterest at @easyanddelish for more delish recipes.

    « Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk, Bacon, and Cilantro
    "Pass the Prosciutto - Bruleed Pears with Prosciutto, Cranberry Sauce, and Goat Cheese" »

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

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shema | LifeScoops says

      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 says

        November 14, 2013 at 3:17 pm

        Thanks, Shema! Enjoy!!!

        Reply
    2. Dedy@Dentist Chef says

      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 says

        November 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

        Thanks, Dedy!

        Reply
    3. Sugar et al says

      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 says

        November 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

        Thanks, Sonali!

        Reply
    4. Little Cooking Tips says

      November 15, 2013 at 3:23 am

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

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        November 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

        Thank you for stopping by, Little Cooking Tips!

        Reply
    5. The Café Sucre Farine says

      November 15, 2013 at 7:03 am

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

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        November 15, 2013 at 7:41 am

        Thanks, Chris!

        Reply
    6. Ana Cláudia says

      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 says

        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 says

      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 says

        November 16, 2013 at 7:53 am

        Thanks, Liz!

        Reply
    8. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

      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 says

        November 16, 2013 at 7:52 am

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

        Reply
    9. Deb says

      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 says

        November 16, 2013 at 9:13 pm

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

        Reply
    10. nusrat2010 says

      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 says

        November 17, 2013 at 1:14 pm

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

        Reply
    11. Ash-foodfashionparty says

      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 says

        November 17, 2013 at 1:15 pm

        Thanks, my dear!

        Reply
    12. john@kitchenriffs says

      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 says

        November 17, 2013 at 6:07 pm

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

        Reply
    13. Amy Tong says

      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 says

        November 18, 2013 at 4:05 pm

        Thanks a lot, Amy!

        Reply
    14. Cquek says

      November 18, 2013 at 8:08 pm

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

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        November 19, 2013 at 7:13 am

        Enjoy, Cquek!

        Reply
    15. Coffee and Crumpets says

      November 18, 2013 at 10:47 pm

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

      Nazneen

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        November 19, 2013 at 7:12 am

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

        Reply
    16. Raymund says

      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 says

        November 19, 2013 at 7:14 am

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

        Reply
    17. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

      November 19, 2013 at 11:49 am

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

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        November 19, 2013 at 2:44 pm

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

        Reply
    18. Leslie says

      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 says

        November 19, 2013 at 10:54 pm

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

        Reply
    19. Asmita says

      November 21, 2013 at 10:51 am

      Omg!
      This looks incredible!!!

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        November 21, 2013 at 10:53 am

        Thanks, Asmita!

        Reply
    20. Sowmya says

      November 21, 2013 at 1:21 pm

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

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        November 22, 2013 at 5:55 am

        Thanks, Sowmya!

        Reply
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