Bacon Mac'n'Cheese

BACON MAC'N'CHEESE

(Still time to link up to Saturday's Party!  See link HERE.)

I know, I though the same thing when I found this recipe.  Bacon? In my mac'n'cheese?  Why on earth did I not think of that?!  And yes, it's amazing, and oh-so-tasty.  Captain Jax said it can't replace our normal baked mac'n'cheese recipe, but I wish it would.  It's that good. 

I might start calling it our "clean out the fridge" mac'n'cheese.  You know how sometimes you end up little bits of random cheeses in your fridge?  No?  Am I the only one?  Well, I had about 5 different kinds of cheese, and not enough of any of them to really do anything with.  So I tossed them all into the mac'n'cheese!

Turned out wonderful.   That 1/4 cup or so of leftover pepper-jack cheese gave it such a nice little kick!  K-girl had 2 servings.  I think she ate more than me, she loved it!


Next time I make this dish, I'm going to split it in half, and freeze it.  See how that turns out!


BACON MAC'N'CHEESE

Posted at: http://recipesofacheapskate.blogspot.com

Adapted from: Girli Chef

• 1 lb.pasta (I used large macaroni)
• 8-10 slices bacon, diced
• 1 Tbs butter
• 3 Tbs flour
• 2 cups milk
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• salt
• pepper
• cayenne pepper
• ½ lb. cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 c.pepper-jack cheese, shredded
• 1 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• whatever other cheeses you need to use up in your fridge

Boil pasta until al dente.  While the pasta is cooking, cook your bacon.  When the bacon is done, transfer to a paper towl and let drain.  Save about 2 Tbsp of the grease and add the butter.  When the butter is melted, whisk in flour until smooth.  Whisk in milk in a thin stream.  Add your seasonings.  Bring to boil and let thicken.  In large bowl, toss together all the cheeses.  When the milk mixture is thickened (not too thick, think a chowder consistency) remove from heat, and add about 1½ c. of the cheese.  Toss the bacon with remaining cheese. Combine cooked pasta and cheese sauce. Pour half into a 9x13 greased pan.  Sprinkle w/ a generous cup of bacon-cheese mixture. Repeat.  Bake at 350degs for about 20-25 minutes.  Turn the broiler on for the last few minutes until the top is browned.