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    Home » Main Dish

    Published: Oct 7, 2019 by Desarae

    Smac n Cheese

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The BIG DADDY of mac and cheeses!! This has aged cheeses, little bit of heat, salty bacon, crunchy bread crumbs and a salty bacon. This Smac n cheese is the ultimate mac n cheese! Inspired by one of our favorite restaurants in LA the Nickel Diner, I know your whole family will love this dish.

    fork taking a bite out of mac n cheese

    INGREDIENTS FOR SMAC N CHEESE

    These are some of the key ingredients are what make this mac n cheese different. Special and DELICIOUS!

    1. 4 cheeses- Gruyere, Sharp Cheddar cheese, Pepper Jack and Mozzarella
    2. Bacon
    3. Fresh Basil
    4. Fire roasted tomatoes with green chilis

    ingredients to make mac n cheese

    PRO TIP FOR ANY AND ALL MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES

    No matter what mac n cheese recipe you're making my biggest pro tip or secret ingredient is to use SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE. If you're worried the cheddar flavor will be too strong don't. By the time you add in milk, broth to your roux your cheddar will be the perfect flavor. A milder cheddar will only be drowned out by the flavor- almost bland.

    CAN I SUBSTITUTE GRUYERE CHEESE?

    YES! if you can't find the cheese in the specialty cheese section- try fontina or provolone.

    four cheese shredded

    HOW CAN I MAKE SMAC N CHEESE GLUTEN FREE?

    These ingredients are what I used to make this recipe gluten free!

    • gluten free noodles
    • cup-4-cup flour for the roux
    • gluten free bread crumbs

    ingredients to make gluten free

    HOW TO MAKE SMAC N CHEESE

    1. On Medium heat start by melting your butter adding in your garlic and flour. Whisk them together until smooth and let bubble for a minute.
    2. Slowly whisk in milk and broth
    3. Once thickened and smooth add in canned tomatoes, stir.
    4. Now stir in your cheeses.

    step by step making the roux

    Continue adding in ingredients

    1. bacon
    2. basil
    3. boiled noodles
    4. stir all together

    step by step how to stir in ingredients

    DO I HAVE TO BAKE THIS MAC N CHEESE?

    At these stage you and 100% serve the mac n cheese. It's warm creamy and delicious! Especially if you are in a time crunch. BUT if you want a little delicious cheesy bacon crunch I highly recommend you bake this bad boy.

    cheesy mac n cheese in pot

    STEPS TO BAKING MAC N CHEESE

    1. You can use either individual oven save dishes or a 9x13 casserole dish.
    2. Add more cheddar cheese
    3. Top with bacon
    4. Top with bread crumbs!

    steps to adding toppings to mac n cheese

    Now, You can bake at 350 for about 15 minutes, or until it is warmed through.

    PROTIP: if you're using individual bowls, bake them all on a baking sheet for easy removal from the oven.

    mac n cheese in oven safe bowls to be baked

    DEVOUR!

    It's hot and bubbly, you can devour! looking for some amazing sides? Try some of my favorites!!

    Instant Pot Ribs, Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken, Steak Skewers

    close up of mac n cheese

    Let's Be BFFs

    If you make this recipe, please come back and leave me a comment!  I love hearing from you all!  For fresh and new recipes make sure you're following us on Facebook and Instagram!

    close up of mac n cheese

    S’mac n Cheese

    This is the big daddy of all mac n cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 435kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb elbow noodles
    • 1 can fire roasted tomatoes with green chilis can sub with dice tomatoes
    • 2 garlic clove minced
    • 2 Tablespoon butter
    • 2 Tablespoon flour
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1.5 cup chicken broth
    • 1 cup fontina or Gruyere, or provolone cheese
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
    • 1 cup pepper jack cheese
    • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
    • itialian seasoning bread crumbs
    • 6 basil leaves- chopped
    • 10 bacon strips cooked
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Boil noodles till al dente, set aside.
    • In a large sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and minced garlic and stir together. Let bubble for about 1 minute.
    • Slowly whisk in broth and milk. Continue stirring and let sauce thicken, but do not let boil. This will scald the milk. When sauce is smooth stir in tomatoes. Add all cheese except 1 cup sharp cheddar. Add in half the bacon and basil.
    • Pour sauce over noodles and stir to combine.
    • Top with remaining cheddar, bacon, basil, and sprinkle bread crumbs over- to your desired thickness.
    • Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. Till cheese is melted and its warmed through.

    Notes

    PRO TIP FOR ANY AND ALL MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES

    No matter what mac n cheese recipe you're making my biggest pro tip or secret ingredient is to use SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE. If you're worried the cheddar flavor will be too strong dont. By the time you add in milk, broth to your roux your cheddar will be  the perfect flavor. A milder cheddar will only be drowned out by the flavor- almost bland. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 435kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 765mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 534IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 348mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erin V says

      October 20, 2018 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      instant classic no doubt

      Reply
    2. Diana Lee says

      January 20, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      I need this meal in my life!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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