Crispy Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Love mac ‘n’ cheese and taquitos? Combine them for the ultimate comfort food appetizer! These Crispy Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese Taquitos are better than takeout, with a crispy exterior and a gooey, cheesy center. After making these many times, I’ve found the trick to the perfect taquito is all in the rolling. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Sugar Pockets Recipe and Crispy Rosemary Parmesan Stuffed Pretzels Recipe.
Why This Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with a gooey, cheesy center
- Easy to make and better than takeout
- Perfect for game nights, parties, or a quick snack
What You'll Need for Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Elbow macaroni
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Bacon
- Tortillas
- Milk
- Butter
- Flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Optional: Sour cream
- Optional: Salsa
- Optional: Guacamole
- Optional: Chopped green onions
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Milk: You can use any kind of milk, but whole milk will give you the creamiest sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents the taquitos from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
- Tongs — Makes it easy to flip and remove the taquitos from the skillet. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
- Cook the pasta: Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, add flour to make a roux, then whisk in milk. Add shredded cheeses, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Mix and roll: Combine cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and diced bacon. Spread a spoonful of the mixture onto a tortilla, roll it up tightly, and secure with a toothpick.
- Fry the taquitos: Heat oil in a skillet, add the taquitos seam-side down, and fry until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side.
- Serve: Remove from skillet, let cool slightly, then serve with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
- : For a healthier version, use whole wheat tortillas and bake the taquitos instead of frying.
- Common mistake and fix: If your cheese sauce isn't thickening, try cooking it a little longer or adding a bit more flour. If it's too thick, add more milk.
- : To prevent the taquitos from unrolling, make sure to secure them with two toothpicks.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the taquitos up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Freeze uncooked taquitos for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until heated through. The texture may not be as crispy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the bacon with diced ham or omit it for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: These taquitos are best served fresh, but you can make them up to a day ahead and reheat in the oven.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your taquitos are falling apart, try using less filling or rolling them more tightly.
Want to level up this recipe?
Food processor — Makes quick work of dicing the bacon and ensures even pieces for better texture. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Bacon
- Tortillas
Seasonings
- Milk
- Butter
- Flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, add flour to make a roux, then whisk in milk. Add shredded cheeses, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Mix and roll: Combine cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and diced bacon. Spread a spoonful of the mixture onto a tortilla, roll it up tightly, and secure with a toothpick.
- Fry the taquitos: Heat oil in a skillet, add the taquitos seam-side down, and fry until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side.
- Serve: Remove from skillet, let cool slightly, then serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the bacon with diced ham or omit it for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: These taquitos are best served fresh, but you can make them up to a day ahead and reheat in the oven.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your taquitos are falling apart, try using less filling or rolling them more tightly.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked taquitos for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until heated through. The texture may not be as crispy.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the taquitos up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the taquitos up to a day ahead. Store them in the fridge until ready to cook.
If your taquitos are falling apart, try using less filling or rolling them more tightly.
Yes, you can freeze uncooked taquitos for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
Yes, you can cook these taquitos in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
I recommend using a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese for the best flavor and meltability.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Taquitos – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
