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Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese

Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese

Jennie Duncan
Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food that is only made better with the addition of bacon and ranch. Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese will be the new twist on a classic dish your whole family will love.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mac and Cheese
Servings 8
Calories 863 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni pasta
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 1 oz ranch seasoning
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divied)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
  • 1 ¼ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 6-8 pieces cooked and divided)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile in a large pan melt unsalted butter over medium/low heat. Once butter is melted add in flour and whisk until a paste is formed.
  • Slowly add in heavy whipping cream and half and half. About ½ cup at a time making sure to whisk well to combine flour paste with your heavy cream and half and half. You want to end with a thick sauce without lumps so make sure to whisk well.
  • Continue to whisk and allow sauce to thicken for 3-4 minutes. Once sauce is thickened add in ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Add in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and shredded parmesan cheese to your sauce and stir to melt and combine.
  • Once cheese is melted add in cooked and shredded chicken and 1 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon. Mix then add in your drained and cooked elbow macaroni.
  • Place your Mac and cheese into your prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese and remaining ¼ cup of cooked and crumbled bacon.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve. (Optional: for garnish add green onions, chives, or parsley)

Notes

Tips for making Chicken Bacon Mac and Cheese:
  1. Cook the pasta to al dente. The pasta will cook more during baking, so keeping them al dente at the start will not allow them to get soggy.
  2. You can use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe. If you do not have time to cook the chicken, get a rotisserie chicken and shred that.
  3. Shred your own cheese. Cheese bought pre-shredded from the store containers additives that can prevent the cheese from fully melting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 863kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 36gFat: 58gSaturated Fat: 33gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 199mgSodium: 1280mgPotassium: 259mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1682IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 440mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
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