French Style Macaroni Gratin
Here’s to true comfort food with a French Style Macaroni Gratin! This rustic dish features macaroni pasta smothered in a rich cheesy white sauce, blanketed with salty bacon bits, breadcrumbs, an extra helping of cheese, and then baked until bubbly underneath and crispy on top. This easy dish is on the table in about 45 minutes to please the whole family. What makes this recipe a “French Style” Macaroni Gratin? Known in French as “Gratin de Macaronis”, this staple French dish is a winter favorite amongst most families. And like…
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 35 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 250g cooked macaroni pasta
- 1 ½ tbsp (20g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp (16g) flour 2 cups (500ml) 2% mf milk
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 cup (100g) grated Gruyère cheese (or Emmental)
- 5 ounces bacon (5 strips/about 145g), sliced into ¼” (0.65cm) thick matchsticks
- 2 tbsp (30g) grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp (20g) breadcrumbs
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 395°F (200°C) with a rack in the middle.
- 2
Step 1 – Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until a thick paste forms that leaves the edges of the pan clean.
- 3
Step 2 - Switch to a whisk, and add the milk slowly, stirring constantly. Bring to a slow boil and keep stirring until the sauce thickens, for about 8-10 minutes. When dunking a large spoon into the sauce and running a finger over the back of the spoon, the streak should remain clean. Turn the heat to low and stir in the black pepper, nutmeg, Dijon mustard and grated Gruyère. Adjust seasoning if needed (salt) and set aside. Turn the heat off.
- 4
Step 3 - Add the cooked macaroni, stir to coat evenly and transfer into a large baking dish.
- 5
Step 4 - Line a small plate with paper towel. In a frying pan, over medium heat, cook the bacon strips stirring frequently, until browned, about 5 minutes. Scoop bacon pieces into the prepared plate, lined with paper towel (to absorb excess fat).
- 6
Step 5 - In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, parmesan and black pepper.
- 7
Step 6 - Sprinkle the bacon evenly onto the macaroni dish. Top with the breadcrumb and parmesan mix.
- 8
Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until the top looks golden and crispy. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.