If you've never eaten mac and cheese between two slices of bread you haven't quite lived. This grilled cheese is loaded with the most delicious mac and cheese imaginable!
Pop your macaroni is salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain when needed.
In a large pan begin frying your bacon over medium heat. Once crispy, melt in 1 tbsp butter (remove excess bacon fat if necessary, a tsp or so will add flavour, any more starts turning the sauce greasy). Stir in 1 tbsp flour to form a paste then gradually start pouring in 1cup/250ml milk, whisking as you go to ensure no lumps form.
Once the sauce has thickened, add in hot sauce, garlic powder and salt & pepper (all to taste). Turn heat to very low and stir in your pasta.
At this point either pour pasta into a side bowl and wipe out pan ready for the grilled cheese, or leave in pan and use a second pan.
Spread one side of each or your slices of bread and face butter-side-down on a chopping board. Spoon in mac and cheese, top with bread then spread again with butter.
Transfer sandwiches to frying pan and fry each side over medium heat until golden crispy and gooey in the middle.
Quick Demo
Notes
a) Cheese - I always go for a 50/50 combo of cheddar and mozzarella. The mozzarella keeps everything compact so it doesn't spill out everywhere in the sandwich. It also gives you that glorious cheese pull. You can however use any cheese you fancy. Even just a sprinkle of mozzarella will help though.b) Bacon - This is optional, yet oh so necessary at the same time. You can however leave it out for a vegetarian version and just start from melting the butter.c) Calories - per grilled cheese with 50/50 cheddar mozzarella and 5 rashers bacon:
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.