Is there anything better than homemade Bacon Mac and Cheese? I know, you're saying a big, fat NOPE. Well, now there is! Our bacon ranch mac and cheese version Spicy Mac and Cheese casserole dinner recipe is going to quickly become a family dinner favorite!
We LOVE this Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about comfort food? For me, it's always a good mac and cheese. And no, I don't mean the boxed stuff. I'm talking homemade, ooey, gooey, real deal stuff here!
I think, I've crossed over into ultimate level with this Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe, however. I doctored up my usual bacon macaroni and cheese recipe just a bit and sat at the table listening to all the 'Oohhh's and Aahhh's' the other night. If they gave awards for best mom ever, I totally won it! No joke, just take a look!
Are you looking for more easy side dishes like our Spicy Mac and Cheese?
How to Make Spicy Mac and Cheese
Ingredients needed to make Spicy Mac and Cheese
- 2 TBS Butter
- 2 TBS all purpose flour
- 1 Cup Milk
- ¼ Cup Sweet Chili Ranch Dressing
- 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 2 OZ Cream Cheese
- Pinch of Salt and Pepper
- 1 Egg beaten
- 3 Cups Elbow Macaroni cook accordingly and set aside
- 9 Pieces Thick Cut Bacon cooked, drained, chopped
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Instructions
- For our Bacon Mac and Cheese, let's start by preheating the oven to *400.
- In a medium pan combine butter and flour over medium heat. Whisk until mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.
- Slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add in the Ranch Dressing, 1½ cups of shredded cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir continuously until smooth and creamy.
- Remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pre-cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and egg until pasta is evenly coated. Toss in all but a handful of the bacon and give it another good mixing.
- Pour bacon mac and cheese into casserole dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese and last handful of bacon.
- Bake at *400 for about 15 minutes or until bacon mac and cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
I know, it looks way too good not to just grab a spoon and dig right in, huh? Because, BACON! And, there's really nothing better than the smooth, creamy cheesy goodness mixed with that Sweet Chili Ranch for a nice kick! Hidden Valley has quite a few cool new flavors too!
I added the Sweet Chili to my bacon mac and cheese. But you could go with Cucumber Ranch, Roasted Garlic Ranch, or Avocado Ranch. I bet that would make an awesome cold pasta salad! Maybe next time.
To try them for yourself, you can grab all these bad boys at Wal-Mart.
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To print this Spicy Ranch Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe, click the recipe card below!
I know that many people still like to print out recipes and keep them in a recipe binder, or simply have the printed recipe sitting in front of them when it comes time to cook! You can also email this recipe!
Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 TBS Butter not margarine
- 2 TBS Flour
- 1 Cup Milk
- ¼ Cup Sweet Chili Ranch Dressing
- 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 2 OZ Cream Cheese
- Pinch of Salt and Pepper
- 1 Egg beaten
- 3 Cups Elbow Macaroni cook accordingly and set aside
- 9 Pieces Thick Cut Bacon cooked, drained, chopped
Instructions
- For our Bacon Mac and Cheese, let's start by preheating the oven to *400 degrees F.
- In a medium pan combine butter and flour over medium heat. Whisk until mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.
- Slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add in the Ranch Dressing, 1½ cups of shredded cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir continuously until smooth and creamy.
- Remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pre-cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and egg until pasta is evenly coated. Toss in all but a handful of the bacon and give it another good mixing.
- Pour bacon mac and cheese into casserole dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese and last handful of bacon.
- Bake at *400 for about 15 minutes or until bacon mac and cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Robin Masshole mommy says
That sounds amazing. I definitely cannot wait to try this.
Amber Edwards says
What? Bacon in mac & Cheese!? How have I not thought of this before! I mean seriously! Bacon! It is like the ideal combination for Mac & Cheese! Yes please! It looks amazing!
Jenna Wood says
We love Hidden Valley but I haven't seen Sweet Chili Ranch yet! Just another thing to add to the shopping list. This recipe sounds delicious!
Amy says
I love HVR dressings so much! Their new line is so delicious too! This meal looks perfect for me!
Mandi says
Oh this sounds good! My daughter is a huge mac n cheese fan, so I wouldn't be surprised if she loved this!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This looks so delicious. I want to make some right now. I love bacon on everything.
Lisa Bristol says
I can not wait to try this recipe. It looks so good. I am sure my kids are going to love it. I will have to try making it this weekend.
Aubrey says
Wow, yum. My husband is a big mac and cheese fan. He would probably love this.
Liz Mays says
This is such a cool idea! I'd love to try this for the first time. My family loves spicy flavors and the bacon sounds good.
Tess says
I like this idea, my daughter likes to make mac n Chs so I'll have to tell her.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
My daughter loves ,ac and cheese! But with the bacon, this is a dish the whole family can enjoy!
Jeanette says
My hubby would be all over this! It looks delicious! I never heard of putting bacon in it until I met my hubby and now that is the only way my son and my hubby will eat!
dawn says
what an awesome recipe. thanks for the share.
Aimee Smith says
You had me at Mac and Cheese! This looks amazing, something my whole family would be into.
Vera sweeney says
This sounds like an amazing recipe! I never would have thought to put ranch in mac and cheese.
Danielle H says
Bacon and Mac n cheese.... I'm in heaven.... just give it all to me!
Kathi Riemer says
Yummy!! I am looking for a good potluck dish for the weekend. Found it.
Kate says
Mac and Cheese is always a favorite...love the combination of flavors in this recipe!
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
This sounds soo yummy... thanks for sharing!
Stephanie R says
This looks like the stuff that a local bbq place sells that is all kinds of delicious! I absolutely have to make some of this!
Miz Helen says
We will love this Mac and Cheese, it looks fantastic! I appreciate you sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Oh yum! How easy did you make that?! I love simple recipes like this. Hmm, ranch, cheese, bacon, and pasta? Can't go wrong!
Alli @ Tornadough Alli says
Bacon and ranch are my long lost lovers. They are the who things that I feel pair well with everything! I cannot wait to give this variation of mac and cheese a try! I would love for you to link up at Throwback Thursday's!
Heaven says
This looks awesome! Pinned! Stopping by from Weekend Retreat.
Stephanie R says
This looks delicious! Theres a barbecue place here locally that makes some mac n cheese like this and its the very best, Im going to have to try this!
Carolyn @ Our Gilded Abode says
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe - my guys will LOVE this!! Found you at Sugar Bee Crafts. Have a great day!
Christine at Must Love Home says
Hello Beautiful, you are so creative! Thank you for sharing at the Friday Favorites Link Party! Please join us again to share what you have been working on this week. Christine @ Must Love Home
Christine says
Did you shred your cheddar cheese or shredded in a package?Chris
Jenn says
You can use a package of preshredded cheese OR you can buy a brick of cheese and shred it yourself! 🙂
Francine says
I can’t not find sweet chili ranch anywhere, what would you suggest as an alternative?
Jennifer says
I believe that they have changed the name to Spicy Ranch - by Hidden Valley.