Baked Broccoli Bacon Mac and Cheese Casserole

Ingredients

- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, corn, green beans)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1 cup cheese-flavored Fritos, crushed
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically around 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside. Cook the broccoli florets briefly in boiling water until just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to preserve color.

2. Mix the Cheesy Base:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, broccoli, mixed vegetables, crumbled bacon, and pasta. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Make the Creamy Sauce:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning until smooth. Pour this mixture over the macaroni mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.

4. Assemble the Casserole:
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter. Transfer the macaroni mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly.

5. Add the Toppings:
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top. In a small bowl, mix the crushed cheese-flavored Fritos with the melted butter. Spread this mixture evenly over the casserole to form a crunchy topping.

6. Bake the Casserole:
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

7. Rest and Serve:
Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to slice.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT20M
20 minutes

- Cooking Time: PT25M
25 minutes

Total Time

- PT45M
45 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Casserole
- Mac and Cheese
- Broccoli
- Bacon
- Frito Topping
- Oven Recipe
- Comfort Food
- Cheesy Pasta
- Savory Dinner
- Baked Dish

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- 2,780 calories (entire dish)

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