Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon

Martha Stewart

Category

Pasta is what is for dinner!

I have only prepared this recipe from Martha Stewart for Mac and Cheese. I find it easy to prepare, and it makes a lot of cheesy pasta! We usually have it for dinner one night and freeze the rest for leftovers. It makes the perfect ooey-gooey dish. Make it over and over, and you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients

  • 6 slices good-quality white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
  • 5 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar
  • 2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyere or 1 1/4 cups (about 5 ounces) grated pecorino Romano
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 lb of Circle B Ranch Hickory Smoked bacon crispy cooked-crumble the bacon

Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside.

  2. Place bread pieces in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into the bowl with bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside.

  3. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk.

  4. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.

  5. Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.

  6. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup pecorino Romano. Set cheese sauce aside.

  7. Fill a large saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 fewer minutes than manufacturer's directions, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.)

  8. Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

  9. Add the 1/2 the bacon to the mac and cheese mixture.

  10. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup pecorino Romano; scatter breadcrumbs and crumbled bacon over the top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack.