Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese-Bacon Lovers Style

Macaroni and cheese is one of my all time favorite foods.  There’s just something so satisfying, so comforting about a big ol’ bowl of noodles covered is gooey, cheesy goodness.  My love for the cheesy stuff has trickled down to my little man too.  If you ask him what he wants for lunch or supper, 3 out of 4 times he’ll say macaroni and cheese.  He’s a fan, to say the least.

Bacon.  Oh, bacon.  I love the stuff.  I’m a sucker for the salty, crispy strips of goodness.  This is another love and weakness of mine, and this too has been passed down to Tucker.  If you make him a bacon biscuit for breakfast he’ll quickly pull the top off the biscuit, remove the bacon and inhale it and then instantly ask for more bacon.  If he smells the stuff cooking, he’s in the kitchen like lightening holding his hands out and just waiting for a piece of warm bacon to chow down on. 

Now what happens when macaroni and cheese and bacon come together?  Only the best thing on earth.  They have a kiddo, and it’s the most delicious thing ever.  You get this deliciously cheesy bacon lovers mac and cheese.  And I had one happy little boy who couldn’t get his fill of this stuff.  It’s life changing, I tell ya. 

This mac and cheese is so simple and easy to throw together.  I love the saltiness the bacon lends to this dish.  The sharp Vermont cheddar add a creamy, richness that is like no other.  The cheese compliments the salty bacon perfectly and it’s like they were destined to be together!  This is definitely a crowd pleasing dish, and it holds a special plates in the hearts of the boys at my house.  Not only did Tucker go back for seconds the day we had it, but he asked for it for the next 4 days.  It was a hit, to say the least! 

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese-Bacon Lovers Style

Ingredients:

1 Lb small cut pasta
1 Lb bacon
3 Tbsp bacon drippings
3 Tbsp flour
1/4 Cup white onion, diced
2 Cups half and half
1 Lb Cabot Vermont Cheddar Cheese, shredded
6 Oz cream cheese, cubed
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Salt liberally and cook pasta according to package instructions.  Strain and set aside.

Place a large skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp.  Remove cooked bacon and place on a paper towel lined plate and set aside.  Reserve 3 tablespoons bacon drippings and discard the rest.

Place a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, add bacon drippings and diced onion and cook until onions begin to become translucent.  Once onions begin to turn, add flour and whisk until a paste forms.  Slowly whisk in half and half, continuing to whisk until the mixture comes to a low boil and has thickened.

Add cream cheese and two-thirds of the shredded cheese and whisk to combine and until the cheese has melted.  Once the sauce has come together and the cheese has melted, remove from heat.

Combine the pasta and cheese sauce and stir to combine.  Season with salt and pepper.  Spread the mixture evenly in a shallow baking dish.  Top with remaining cheese and crumble the cooked bacon over the top.

Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbling.

Recipe source: Bakeaholic Mama