Update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp

 

 

There aren’t many things I love more in the world that macaroni and cheese.

 

Well, maybe bacon.

 

 

And cheese alone.

 

 

And sea-salted chocolate.

 

 

Don’t make me choose! Choosing a favorite food is like trying to choose a favorite movie. Or a favorite song. Or book.

 

I’m so indecisive.

 

I used white pasta. Sue me.

 

Sometimes it’s just so good in mac ‘n cheese. My inner Mother Lovett refused whole wheat this time.

 

Using the white pasta added a more creamy taste and softness to the dish. Orecchiette is my favorite.

 

 

I love, love, love this apple smoked cheddar cheese. I eat it on just about everything.

IMG_1752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just look at how cute the pasta is.

IMG_1751

 

 

My roux – a la Mother Lovett.

IMG_1753

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1754

 

IMG_1755

 

 

To possibly make things even less healthier, I added a heavy dose of heavy cream. It looked heavy. And creamy.

IMG_1756

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I grated the cheese myself. It melts easier, and I prefer to grate my own. I think it tastes better.

IMG_1758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A touch of nutmeg. Just because.

IMG_1759

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1760

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To test the creaminess, dip a spoon in and judge for yourself. I dipped about 67 spoons.

IMG_1763

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite – applewood smoked bacon.

IMG_1765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just ripped it apart with my hands.

IMG_1767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-cheese sauce addition.

IMG_1768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-cheese sauce addition.

IMG_1769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-cheese sauce addition.

IMG_1770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More panko.

Have you had any panko in your life recently? If not, please get some.

IMG_1771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the cheese sauce bubbling in the corner? This was fresh out of the oven.

IMG_1777

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clogged arteries, what what?!

IMG_1778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok calm down. A few spoonfuls of this won’t clog your arteries. Eating this entire 2-person casserole dish stuffed with smoked cheddar bacon mac 3 days a week might, but I don’t know anyone who would do that.

 

 

Maybe me.

 

I like to test my limits.

IMG_1779

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smoked Cheddar Bacon Mac

No ratings yet
Leave a Review »

Ingredients

  • 2 cups orrechiette pasta
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1-2 cups grated smoked cheddar cheese – depends on desired consistency.
  • 1/4 pound applewood smoked bacon
  • 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • a pinch of nutmeg

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400.
  • Cook your bacon – either pan fry or bake it. Baking it was easier since I already had a few other pans going on the stove. Once cooked, let drain on a paper towel, then chop into tiny bits.
  • Boil salted water & add pasta when ready. Cook & remove. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan on low-medium heat, whisk 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon flour to create a roux. Add half of heavy cream and half of chicken stock. Add in half of the smoked cheddar cheddar cheese. Continuously stir so cheese does not stick to bottom. Alternately add more cheese, heavy cream and chicken stock until you reach desired consistency. Add a pinch of nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste if desired.
  • Layer pasta and half of bacon in a casserole dish. Add cream sauce over top. Sprinkle on remaining bacon and panko breadcrumbs.
  • Bake at 400 for about 15-20 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
Instagram

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to our facebook page.
I appreciate you so much!

 

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did. Considering I ate the entire dish myself, I would certainly say I enjoyed it. :)

 

IMG_1780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1781