Anne's Bacon Mac & Cheese

This is one of my favorite recipes from my friend Anne.   She uses all sorts of fun yummy veggies like leeks, peas, green onions, etc., however when you live with someone who doesn't eat anything green, we use the variation below.

What you need...

• 2 T. butter
• 2 T. flour
• 2 cups of fat free milk (warmed)
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (we use Swiss, Parmesan, & Sharp Cheddar)
• 4-5 slices of center cut bacon (chop it up and fry it)
• salt
• pepper
• 12 oz. box of pasta (cooked)
• breadcrumbs

After cooking the bacon and the pasta, it's time to make your roux.   Melt butter in a medium sauce pan. Let it bubble. As soon as it stops bubbling, it's hot enough.  Add two tablespoons of flour. Stir with a wire whisk until mixed and it begins to bubble.  Let bubble for a minute, whisking constantly. Slowly add the two cups of warm milk while you whisk it.

Continue to whisk frequently until mixture comes to a boil.  Continue to whisk until mixture thickens.  You can decide how thick you want it.  Now you have the roux.

 

 

Remove from heat. Add cheese.  Mix in pasta and bacon to the sauce.

 
Adjust seasonings.  Pour mixture into a baking dish.

Top with more cheese and bread crumbs.   Broil in the oven until browned on top.

Now it's time to enjoy!    Believe me... you will never go back to the blue box again....  Enjoy!