A Zesty Bite Crack-N-Cheese

Sep

Crack-n-Cheese

WARNING! If you were coming to the site today to find a healthy recipe turn back to the baked pecan chicken. On this page you will find an ooey-gooey cheesy recipe called crack-n-cheese. This dish is so addictive that Shaun and I were literally running our fingers along the edge of the dish to get more of it. You can eat it as a side or just devour the whole thing for a meal. It is up to you! I promise you will not be disappointed and if you are then you are not a true mac and cheese fan! ENJOY!

Crack-n-Cheese

Ingredients:

For the mac
4 oz. elbow macaroni
1/2 tsp salt
2 qts of water

Mix-Ins
4 strips bacon
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Cheese Sauce
4 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
3 oz. cream cheese
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt

The finisher (topping)
2 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tsp paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Bring 2 qts of water to boil and add salt (this is for cooking noodles)
In medium sauce pan cook bacon over medium heat until crisp and then chop up into pieces
Pour all but 1 tablespoon of fat out of pan and brown onions
Add garlic at the end for about 1 minute
Leave a little bit of a crunch to the onions as they will soften once baked in the oven

Cheese Sauce
In 2 quart saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over a low heat
Whisk in the flour after butter melts and cook for 5 minutes or until it turns a straw like color
Slowly add milk while mixing to keep the sauce from getting lumps
Cook for 5-6 mins until it starts to bubble and thicken
Stir in cream cheese until thoroughly mixed
Next, stir in cheddar cheese and seasonings; Turn off heat once mixed in

Macaroni
Pour in macaroni half way through making the sauce so it will be ready when sauce is done
Boil macaroni for about 2/3 the recommended time so it is still slightly chewy (we did 6 minutes)
The macaroni will soften up while it bakes in the oven
Drain the noodles and combine them with cheese sauce, onions and bacon and mix thoroughly
Pour mixture into 2 quart oven safe dish or individual baking dishes
Sprinkle with shredded cheese and paprika
Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until top layer of cheese has browned

Crack-n-Cheese adapted from amazing ribswebsite.

Pasta, Side Dish

25 comments »

25 Responses to “Crack-n-Cheese”

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Goddess of Baking — September 1, 2011 at 5:24 am

This looks amazing! I am a huge mac and cheese fan and i love trying new recipes! thanks for sharing!

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Siggy Spice — September 1, 2011 at 3:09 pm

Totally pinning this. WOW!

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Tennessee Sugar — September 1, 2011 at 9:35 pm

Love all types of mac and cheese- adding this to list of ones to try

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Sarah — September 1, 2011 at 9:42 pm

How many tbsp of flour? It just has a “T” Can’t wait to make this along with dinner tomorrow night!

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A Zestybite — September 1, 2011 at 9:55 pm

Thanks Sarah for that catch! It is actually 2 Tbsp of flour and I also updated the recipe.

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Ann — September 2, 2011 at 4:08 am

Oh, my! That IS crack and cheese! Holy cow that’s amazing!

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Maureen — September 2, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Yummy, yummy, yummy! I haven’t had mac and cheese since I ate it at the CIA in New York a few years ago. (imagine!) This reminds me of their dish a lot. I’m going to try it this weekend. I’ve been craving mac and cheese for ages.

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Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch — September 2, 2011 at 4:54 pm

Oh I love mac and cheese! Sure looks delicious!

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Colette — September 4, 2011 at 5:18 pm

Alright, this one I have to try! I was looking for a something wicked to serve w boring chicken tonite. Thanks!

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life:styled — September 5, 2011 at 3:57 pm

Yum! I can’t wait to give it a try! I linked this on my blog today for a weekly menu. Thanks!

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ankh — September 13, 2011 at 4:49 pm

I just tried it and it was a blast. Thanks for the receipt…

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Tara — July 27, 2012 at 9:09 pm
This recipe is so good ! Do you think you could do it in a crock pot?

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- azestybite replied: — July 28th, 2012 @ 12:53 am
  
  You could try it in the crockpot but you would want to watch the noodles so that they don’t become mushy!
  
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Stacey — August 7, 2012 at 1:50 pm
This is soooo awesome. I adore mac and cheese, and this just became my new fave recipe. I usually never follow recipes exactly, but I did with this one. I wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks!!

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- azestybite replied: — August 8th, 2012 @ 2:04 pm
  
  I’m so glad you like it!! This is definitely one of our favorites as well.
  
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Katie — September 20, 2012 at 6:03 pm
How many servings does this recipe make?

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- azestybite replied: — September 20th, 2012 @ 7:38 pm
  
  Hey Katie – it makes about 4 servings as a side and 2 for a main dish.
  
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Amanda — September 22, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Oh my gosh. A new favorite. My tummy loves you but my thighs resent you just a bit. ; )

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- azestybite replied: — September 22nd, 2012 @ 8:26 pm
  
  Haha I love it! Don’t worry my thighs hated me too.
  
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Joy Davis — October 7, 2012 at 8:15 pm

This is a keeper! I like the recipe, except for the unfortunate use of the word ‘crack’ in the title. I will call it “Crazy Good Mac & Cheese.”

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Hailey — October 30, 2012 at 8:34 am
I tried making this the other day – seriously, BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER. it was amazing. I made it without bacon because I’m vegetarian, and it was still amazing. Only bad thing – now I c an never have another mac and cheese again because I know how good it can really taste

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- azestybite replied: — October 30th, 2012 @ 9:28 am
  
  Hey Hailey! I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe! It has definitely been a favorite of ours.
  
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Kate — December 4, 2012 at 4:52 pm

I made myself this recipe for dinner tonight and it is truly delicious. I know you said it isn’t exactly a healthy but I substituted some ingredients and shed nearly 140 cals per serving and over 30g of fat! Just little things like using light cream cheese, skim milk, turkey bacon, and light cheddar cheese really make a difference, and it still tastes so freakin’ delicious!

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janie — December 19, 2012 at 1:58 pm
I have been making your recipe for almost a year now and THANK YOU!!! even though we are a family of 2, we have to double it because there is never enough! hands down this is THE BEST homemade mac and cheese I have ever had! ever!

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- azestybite replied: — December 19th, 2012 @ 6:49 pm
  
  I am so happy that come back to let me know that you enjoy the recipe. This is still our favorite mac and cheese recipe as well.
  
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