Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese in a Cast Iron Skillet

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This bacon ranch mac and cheese in a cast iron skillet works as a side dish or as an entree!

Prep Time10

Cook Time45

Total Time55

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon ranch mac and cheese in a cast iron skillet, bacon ranch macaroni and cheese, cast iron mac and cheese

Servings: servings

Calories: 687kcal

Cost: $12

Pre-heat oven to 350°.
In a large pot, bring 4-6 quarts of water to rolling boil.
Add elbow pasta and cook 11 minutes or until al dente.
While pasta cooks:
In a second saucepan, add 5 tbsp of butter and cook over medium heat until melted, stirring often.
Add the flour to the melted butter and stir to combine. Whisk until smooth.
Slowly add the milk, half and half, and ranch seasoning to the flour mixture and whisk to combine. Continue to cook, stirring often until the mixture starts to thicken and coat the spoon. Remove the mixture from the heat and add in the cheddar cheese, a little at a time while stirring.
Drain pasta in colander. (Do not rinse.)
In large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, the thickened cheese sauce, and crumbled bacon together. Stir.
Add pats of butter (the remaining 2 tablespoons worth) at the bottom of a large cast iron skillet.*
Pour mac and cheese mixture into the cast iron skillet, careful not to overfill.
Bake uncovered at 350° for 20-25 minutes until cheese is gooey and melted. Garnish with additional crumbled bacon and green onion, if desired.

*If you do not have a cast iron skillet, you can use a greased 9x13 baking pan instead.