Description
Creamy Loaded Bacon Mac and Cheese Stuffed Shells Delight is a decadent and comforting American main course that combines cheesy macaroni with crispy bacon, all stuffed inside tender jumbo pasta shells. Baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with green onions, this dish is perfect for hearty family dinners and reheats well for leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Shells
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until just al dente, then drain and set aside to cool slightly for filling.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine Macaroni and Bacon: Fold the cooked elbow macaroni and crumbled bacon into the cheese sauce, reserving a portion of bacon for topping.
- Stuff Shells: Spoon the mac and cheese mixture into each cooked jumbo shell, then arrange the stuffed shells evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Remaining Sauce and Bake: Pour any leftover cheese sauce over the top of the stuffed shells. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the dish is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with the reserved crumbled bacon and chopped green onions before serving warm.
Notes
- For extra richness, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before baking.
- This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers for next-day comfort food.
- Make sure not to overcook pasta shells initially to avoid mushiness after baking.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
