Penny's Passion: Let's Make Four Cheese with Bacon Mac

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Let's Make Four Cheese with Bacon Mac

Sometimes when it's cold outside don't you just want some comfort food?  One of our go-to comfort food dishes is this Four Cheese with Bacon Mac.  I found this recipe in Family Circle magazine about six years ago and it's so delicious I've been making it even since.


Family Circle is one (of the many) magazines I subscribe to and each month find a helpful hint or recipe that's fantastic.  You can pick up a subscription from Amazon for $5!  Click the link to start enjoying it for yourself.


But back to the recipe ~ 

Here's What You Need
1 box (1 pound) cavatappi
6 slices bacon, sliced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups 2 percent milk
1/2 teaspoon onion flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup shredded colby-Jack cheese (4 ounces)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
8 slices Kraft Deli american cheese (6 ounces)


Here's What You Do
1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat a 3-quart broiler-safe dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling.

2.  Cook cavatappi 8 minutes in boiling water, then drain.  Meanwhile, in medium-size saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, 6 minutes.  Transfer to paper towels.  Carefully pour off drippings, returning 2 tablespoons to pan.  Add butter.

3.  Whisk in flour until smooth.  In a thin stream, whisk in milk.  Stir in onion flakes, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes.  In large bowl, toss together cheddar, Colby-Jack and mozzarella.


4.  Remove milk mixture from heat; whisk in American cheese and 1 and 1/4 cups of the cheddar mixture.  Toss bacon pieces with remaining shredded cheese.

5.  In pasta pot, combine cooked pasta and cheese sauce.  Pour half into prepared dish.  Sprinkle with a generous cup of the bacon-cheese mixture.  Repeat layering.


6.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.  Increase oven temperature to broil and broil 3 minutes until top is lightly browned.  Cool slightly before serving.


Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!  Stay warm out there!
Nonstick Executive Skillet
Non Stick Skillet
Stainless Steel Whisk
Whisk
Easy-Read Measuring Cup Set
Measuring Cups


Rectangular Baker
Rectangle Baker
























8 comments:

  1. I'm obsessed with mac-n-cheese! I can't wait to try this! Thank you:)

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  2. I've never used Kraft American cheese in mac'n'cheese before! All four cheeses make this look delicious and extra rich.

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  3. We love mac'n'cheese and this looks amazing!

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  4. Oooh yum! This mac & cheese looks awesome. I made some bacon cheeseburger mac & cheese for my hubby a while ago, and this is very similar to it! Love it!

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  5. If I were a mac n cheese fan I'd rush out to make it because it does look good but Im not at all so Ill just take your word ;)

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  6. Oh my goodness, can someone make me some of this for breakfast right now? ;) I am going to be craving good mac n cheese all day now!!

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  7. Ooh that looks insanely delicious! I love mac n cheese and I LOVE bacon so this is the ultimate dish!

    La Belle Sirene 

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  8. Amazing! This looks like the perfect comfort meal. I've gotta make this for my husband. I think he'll love it!

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