Want to Make Better Mac and Cheese? Add Bacon!

"Crisp air and shorter days can only mean one thing: It's time for comfort food! And I can't think of a dish I'd rather cozy up to than this rich and velvety bacon macaroni and cheese. Not only can this recipe feed your entire family, but all of the ingredients are cooked in a single pot -- that's right, even the pasta -- making cleanup a cinch. And if you love this recipe, download the October issue of "Everyday Food" for four other variations on this classic dish."

-- Everyday Food's Sarah Carey

Skillet Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Related: 10 New Ways to Use Leftover Bacon Grease

8 slices bacon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups 2% milk
3/4 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups grated gouda
1 cup grated Gruyere
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper

Related: Healthy Afternoon Snacks You'll Dream About All Day

1. Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet and crumble (discard bacon fat).

2. Heat broiler. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Remove 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

3. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Very gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add macaroni and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining cheese and the bacon and mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

More from Everyday Food:
35 Beyond Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes
Quick, One-Pot Meal Ideas To Feed the Whole Family
15 New Ideas for a Healthy, Delicious Breakfast
15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook