Easy Weeknight Bacon Mac n’ Cheese

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READY IN 30 mins

Easy Weeknight Bacon Mac 'n Cheese

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"Creamy mac 'n cheese with bacon, red bell pepper, and a bread-crumb topping is ready to serve in 30 minutes." — Progresso™ Recipe Starters™

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, heat cooking sauce, milk and garlic to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Stir in pasta, bacon and bell pepper. Spoon into casserole.
Bake uncovered 20 minutes or until edges are bubbly. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
READY IN 30 mins

Footnotes

*Substitute: You can use 1 finely chopped clove of garlic instead of the 1/4 teaspoon of bottled minced garlic.

Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Sep 08, 2012

Because I did not have a can of Progresso Creamy Three-Cheese Cooking Sauce, I used one can of Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup and upped the milk to a full "can". I also used fresh minced garlic and I did use the optional panko crumbs on top BUT I drizzled butter over them. I did not eat this myself but my husband and kids did--they ate the whole casserole dish full. No leftovers for Mom. Apparently, it was pretty good. **I was not given anything to make this recipe, I made it for no reason at all other than to feed my family.

—Sarah Jo

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Sep 29, 2012

Sauce was very thin.

—Magnolia Blossom

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67 Ratings

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Sep 13, 2012

When I first saw this recipe I wanted to love it, however when I looked at the ingredients of the three cheese starter I inwardly cringed. I noticed "water" as being the major (first) ingredient and I lost all hope for this recipe. I then started hearing amazing reviews. I chose to make this and found that while the sauce looked "soupy" that it ended up blending beautifully and became a creamy sauce that the pasta had a love affair with. I found the bacon was substantial and could be reduced by half. The garlic flavour was not detectable. I received very good comments from a "picky" adult eater who also suggested that a fried onion topping would be a nice addition. Overall I would make this again!

—Blondeprincess

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Sep 09, 2012

I used fresh garlic, and five strips of center-cut bacon (one of which was used for the garnish), and cooked for 30 minutes. This actually turned out pretty well, was plenty creamy, and relatively easy to put together. The Italian panko bread crumbs really give the dish some texture, so don't skip that ingredient. I still like my old family mac 'n cheese recipe better, but I wouldn't hesitate to make this again, adding some chopped onion, as I do with my favorite mac 'n cheese recipe .

—lutzflcat

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Sep 09, 2012

I went ahead and used an entire box (1 lb.) of penne which is about 1 cup more than called for here. I hate to open a box and not use it all. For us the pasta to sauce ratio was just right with this change. I also cooked up a batch of bacon instead of using the packaged variety. I find it difficult to shred processed cheese because it is very soft so instead, I cubed it and dropped it into the sauce mixture while it was simmering and allowed it to melt. I LOVE the Progresso Italian style panko bread crumbs and they are a staple in my pantry. They add nice texture to the dish and the red bell pepper adds nice color contrast. I made this for my two teenage boys and although it isn't the same as "from scratch" they seemed pleased. Especially with the bacon :)

—Valerie's Kitchen

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Sep 30, 2012

My mac n cheese lover in our house is my 11 yo grandson. He liked this for the most part, but not the red pepper. Since he doesn't like panko, he was glad I used my whole wheat bread crumbs mixed with a little butter and bacon fat..I didn't want to waste it since I sauteed the bacon anyway..hehe..the cheese flavor was very good in this dish.

—Lillydee

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Sep 30, 2012

Easy, quick, and great as a main dish or side dish. Easy to customize.

—Kristen Kelley

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Oct 05, 2012

We tried this tonight! It was yummy! I used finely diced yellow bell pepper, and put it into the cheese sauce while it was cooking. So when it was cooked for 20 min in the oven and then served, no one could even tell that there was any vegetable in the dish. I cooked thick cut bacon to use in the dish...used about 6 slices, cooked well done and chopped. I cooked the pasta dish for 15 min, then I mixed in the bacon, topped it with Panko and parmesan cheese, and broiled it for 3-4 min, until lightly brown and crunchy. The Progresso starter is a new product, I think, b/c I had trouble finding it in the grocery store. I had to ask for help from an employee to find it, and I know my store pretty well!

—Laura

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Nutrition

Calories
399 kcal
20%

Carbohydrates
32.2 g
10%

Cholesterol
56 mg
19%

Fat
21 g
32%

Fiber
1.5 g
6%

Protein
21.9 g
44%

Sodium
1005 mg
40%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Easy Weeknight Bacon Mac 'n Cheese

Serving Size: 1/6 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 399
Calories from Fat: 189

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21g 32 %
Saturated Fat 10.8g 54 %
Cholesterol 56mg 19 %
Sodium 1005mg 40 %
** Potassium 168mg 5 %
Total Carbohydrates 32.2g 10 %
Dietary Fiber 1.5g 6 %
Protein 21.9g 44 %
** Sugars 2.8g
** Vitamin A 16 %
** Vitamin C 26 %
** Calcium 36 %
** Iron 13 %
** Thiamin 3 %
** Niacin 33 %
** Vitamin B6 7 %
** Magnesium 11 %
** Folate 7 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.