Bacon and beer form the core of Man-Cave Mac, the speedy yet substantial stove-top macaroni and cheese! The bacon adds extra savory flavor and succulence, along with a little crunch, and the beer helps enhance the sharp cheddar flavor to make it bold and captivating. It’s the little things that make what’s already a tender bed of creamy, cheesy mac and cheese feel extra burly and bountiful! Flex some muscles and enjoy a big bowl of Man-Cave Mac! It’s exactly what you need to make the most of your next game day!
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups beer
- 1 1/2 cups macaroni
- 3 cups milk
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 1/4 cup plain flour
- 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- flat-leaf parsley leaves, to taste, chopped, to serve
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to broil.
Step 2 –Cook the bacon in a medium, oven-safe saucepan over medium heat until it is crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3 –Drain the fat, reserving 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan.
Step 4 –Add the garlic, the thyme, the Dijon mustard, and the pepper to the bacon and cook, stirring and crumbling the bacon and cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 5 –Add the beer to the bacon mixture, increasing the heat to medium-high and simmering until it has slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the macaroni, the milk, and the water to the bacon mixture, then stir in the flour.
Step 7 –Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is almost tender, about 6-8 minutes.
Step 8 –Stir 1/2 of the cheese into the macaroni mixture and then top it with the remaining cheese.
Step 9 –Broil the macaroni mixture in the oven until it is golden on top, about 2-4 minutes.
Step 10 –Sprinkle the macaroni with the parsley and the cooked bacon and serve.
