Last Updated on April 27, 2026 by Lisa Keys
Get ready for some amazing s'mac and cheese or smokehouse bacon mac and cheese cornbread skillet. It's a one-pan wonder featuring creamy gouda pasta, crispy applewood smoked bacon and a golden cornbread crust.
Since my Caitlin is a huge macaroni 'n cheese fan I decided to feature this recipe today. Further, It brings back memories of a New York city trip we took to track down the restaurant, S'MAC. Served with a side salad this smokehouse bacon mac and cheese can be a meal or in a smaller portion an unexpected side dish. I recommend a high quality smoked cheese.
Bacon Mac and Cheese Cornbread Skillet
Get ready for a smokey bacon mac and cheese cornbread
Ingredients
- 8 slices applewood smoked bacon, diced
- 1 ¾ cups (6 oz) elbow macaroni, cooked
- 1 cup shredded smoked gouda or cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepperjack cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- ¼ cup chopped green onions, plus additional for garnish
- 6 eggs, divided
- 3 cups milk, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (7 oz) package Martha White Sweet Yellow Cornbread & Muffin Mix
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven 400F.
- Cook bacon in a 10-inch Lodge cast iron skillet until crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate; set aside.
- Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from skillet.
- On medium heat, add cooked macaroni, smoked cheese, pepperjack cheese and cream cheese, stirring, until cheese begins to melt.
- Beat 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper; pour into skillet. Add green onions.
- Cook, stirring, macaroni mixture for 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is well blended. Turn off heat.
- Spread macaroni evenly over bottom of skillet.
- Reserve ¼ cup of bacon. Sprinkle remaining bacon evenly over macaroni.
- In a blender, combine remaining 4 eggs, 2 cups of milk, ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper, cornbread mix and smoked paprika; blend until mixture is smooth and well mixed. Immediately pour over macaroni in skillet.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
- Garnish with remaining bacon, green onions and fresh herbs. Serve from skillet.
Nutrition
Calories: 404kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 19gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 189mgSodium: 742mgPotassium: 294mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 869IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 357mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Better than gold is quality time spent with those you love most.
Mary Shivers says
Lisa, this amazing recipe just got added to my dinner menu tomorrow night for my college-age great nephews! I think this will be a perfect side for burgers. Thank you so much.
Lisa says
So very happy you will try this recipe. If you really want to put it over the top drizzle with a bit of cheese sauce or maybe a lot😃
rainbowwayfarms says
The kids and I visited the Tillamook cheese factory a long time ago!
♥️
Lisa says
I love their smoked cheddar
Lou says
Ava would eat that whole thing.
Lisa says
Well as the good dad that you are you should make it for her 😆
Krista says
Lisa, What a great recipe. I still am reading faithfully, but I have been laying a little low lately. I'm going to make this for a BBQ next weekend. My daughter is a mac n' cheese fanatic! ❤️
Lisa says
I have been laying low, too. I skipped Memorial Day and Father's Day stories because it is just too hard to keep reminding myself. Trying very hard to move in a different direction. It's never going to change, so I will try and just keep cooking and baking and remembering in my heart. <3 Can you imagine this is our life? Never in a million. I hope you like the recipe.Your daughter, like mine, is the joy.