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!

Non Stick Skillet

Whisk

Measuring Cups

Rectangle Baker

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