Ingredients for - Bacon Mac & Cheese
How to cook deliciously - Bacon Mac & Cheese
1. Stage
Preheat oven to 400°. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse pasta under cold water.
2. Stage
Make topping: Put bread cubes in a large bowl. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Remove from heat and pour over bread, tossing to combine.
3. Stage
In the same skillet over medium heat, cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter with the bacon fat. Add onion, garlic and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
4. Stage
Remove from heat and transfer onion mixture and to bowl with bread. Toss to combine and set aside.
5. Stage
Wipe skillet clean and return to stovetop over medium heat. Melt 6 tablespoons butter. When butter is foamy, whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. (This is your roux.)
6. Stage
Whisking constantly, slowly add about ¼ cup milk to roux until completely incorporated. Continue to whisk in milk, very slowly, until mixture is bubbly and has thickened. Turn off heat and whisk in cheeses until melty. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Stage
Add pasta to skillet and toss until combined. Top with an even layer of bread and onion mixture.
8. Stage
Bake until cheese is bubbly and bread cubes are golden, about 15 minutes.
9. Stage
Top with cooked bacon before serving.
