Almost every college student loves a good bowl of ooey-gooey mac n’ cheese. But you know what’s even better than mac n’ cheese? Mac n’ cheese WITH BACON. If you’re looking for a super tasty lunch and/or dinner, then this bacon mac n’ cheese recipe is for you! If you’re running low on time, cooking talent, or motivation, then fear not, for I’m putting up two versions of the recipe: the quick n’ easy and traditional versions.
Quick n’ Easy Version
Ingredients:
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Packaged mac and cheese (i.e. the Kraft boxes)
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Bacon bits
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Box of seasoned Italian bread crumbs
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Follow the instructions on the mac n’ cheese packaging and make the mac n’ cheese.
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Mix in the bacon bits.
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Top with bread crumbs (optional).
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Enjoy.
(If you’re really REALLY lazy, get those microwave mac n’ cheese things, not the boxed Kraft macaroni. No one’s judging).
Traditional Version (serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
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½ lb. of macaroni noodles
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3 cups of half & half
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp flour
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2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tsp chopped rosemary
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1 tsp thyme
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2 tbsp chopped basil
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1 ½ to 2 tbsp chopped green onion
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4 cloves minced garlic
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pinch of nutmeg
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pinch of cayenne pepper
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6+ slices of bacon (depends on how much bacon you want on your mac n’ cheese)
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¼ cup cup seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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Cook bacon until crispy. Chop the bacon into bits. Set the bacon bits aside.
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In a large pot, boil water. Once it starts to boil, add a tablespoon of salt and stir it into the water. Add the macaroni and boil until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water. Once all the water is drained, set the pasta aside.
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In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it starts to foam, whisk in the flour and keep whisking until smooth. Let the mixture cook for a minute, then add 1 cup of half and half, whisking until smooth before adding the rest of the half and half. Add the rosemary, thyme, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and minced garlic and mix well. Add salt and pepper if needed. Increase heat to medium high and bring mixture to a simmer, whisking the entire time. When the mixture becomes thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove the pot from heat and whisk in the parmesan and cheddar cheeses until melted. Add the pasta to the pot and mix the sauce and macaroni together. Once the two are mixed in well, add the basil and green onion and mix.
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Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a well-greased baking pan. Sprinkle ½ cup of the mozzarella over it. Then add the other half on top of it and the rest of the mozzarella. Sprinkle the bacon and breadcrumbs on the top.
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Bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
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Let the dish cool for at least 10 minutes.
(Recipe source: http://carnaldish.com/recipes/pasta/grown-up-bacon-mac-and-cheese/#.VCXO-SldVOF)