Ultimate Creamy Bacon and White Truffle Mac and Cheese
This gourmet mac and cheese combines crispy bacon, a rich cheese blend with white truffle essence, and tender penne pasta. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a stand-alone meal.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta or substitute with rigatoni
- 8 oz bacon thick-cut, chopped
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 1 cup heavy cream for a richer taste
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup gruyère cheese shredded
- 0.5 tsp white truffle oil for aroma
- 0.25 tsp nutmeg ground
- 0.25 tsp salt to taste
- 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in heavy cream and milk until well combined.
- Gradually add the cheddar and gruyère cheeses, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Stir in white truffle oil, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Gently fold the cooked penne into the cheese sauce. Stir in the crispy bacon.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra touch, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or a hint of smoked paprika. This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp salad.