This recipe is seriously to die for. It is smoky and cheesy and all around yummy! It is definitely a must in every household especially when you are in need of some extra comfort. And in the South macaroni and cheese is considered a vegetable so eat away 🙂 The picture does not give this recipe the justice it deserves but I promise, you wont be unhappy!
Ingredients:
- 4-5 slices of bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces
- 2 tbsp of butter
- 2 boxes of Barilla Artisanal Collection Casarecce pasta cooked and drained al dente. You can use one box but there is enough sauce for two, which means lots of leftovers! Any kind of pasta would be delicious!
- 2 cups milk (skim/almond/whatever milk you prefer) I regularly use almond milk shh don’t tell my husband.
- 1 ¼ cup regular cream
- ½ cup flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp Emeril’s Original Essence All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 2 tsp Worcestershire
- 8 oz. gouda cheese shredded
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz. white cheddar cheese
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
Directions:
- Prepare pasta according to package. I cook it al dente because the dish will finish cooking in the oven.
- Fry bacon and cut into small pieces. Reserve some of the bacon grease to add extra flavor.
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium high heat and add a little of the bacon grease. I use a Dutch oven because it can go directly into the oven so that’s one less dirty dish I have to worry about.
- Add milk and bring to a near boil. Reduce heat to medium and add in flour. Whisk vigorously over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Mixture should be thick and boiling. Slowly add cream, while whisking.
- Add in salt, pepper, mustard, Emeril’s Seasoning blend, and Worcestershire. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir for about 5 minutes
- In a food processer, shred cheese and add it to the pot. Stir until fully combined.
- Stir in bacon.
- Sprinkle on panko breadcrumbs. This adds a little crunchy to the top, which is amazing!
- Bake covered 25 minutes and uncovered under the boil for 5 minutes or until golden brown.
- ENJOY!
