Bacon Chipotle Mac 'n' Cheese

5 from 1 vote

Kicked up with chipotle peppers and bacon and made extra-creamy from butternut squash, this bacon chipotle mac and cheese is packed with bold flavors!

Prep Time 35

Cook Time 25

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 632kcal

Ingredients

2 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
4 strips bacon
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
3 cups 2% or skim milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons minced chipotle in adobo sauce
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
12 oz pasta (spiral, penne, shells, etc) cooked according to package instructions until al dente
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F and lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish. Set aside.
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, add butternut squash, and allow squash to simmer 8-10 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain squash, transfer to a bowl, and lightly mash with a fork into a semi-chunky mash. Set aside.
Arrange bacon in a single layer in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until bacon is crispy. Drain bacon on paper towels then finely chop.
Set pan with bacon drippings over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons butter. Whisk flour and garlic into drippings and cook 1-2 minutes until golden-brown.
Slowly drizzle in milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth and incorporated. Cook sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sauce is bubbly and thickened. Remove from heat and add chipotle and both cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted.
Fold cooked pasta, butternut squash, and bacon into sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Scrape pasta into prepared baking dish and set aside for a moment.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over mac and cheese.
Bake mac and cheese at 400F 15-20 minutes until sauce is bubbly and breadcrumbs are golden-brown. Serve mac and cheese warm and enjoy!

Notes

Storing Instructions

Store mac and cheese in refrigerator up to 6 days.

Nutrition