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Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon-Laced Bread Crumbs

Because I adore bacon and the salty flavor it gives to sauces, I decided to make the creamy, cheesy sauce using the bacon grease as the fat base in the sauce.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Servings - 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb. small shell pasta
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 4 Tbsp flour
  • 1 1/2 cups cups milk
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, cut into small pieces
  • 2 cups cheddar or Italian blend shredded cheese
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh veggies and/or fruit, as side dish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Boil the pasta as directed. Drain well.
  • In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Set aside to drain. Chop into tiny pieces and set aside.
  • Pour off a little of the bacon grease, but you want 2-3 Tbspto stay in the skillet. Add the flour to the skillet and whisk with the bacon grease. Quickly pour in the milk, whisking well to prevent lumping. Once incorporated, addin the cream cheese cubes, stirring constantly until it melts into the sauce. Bring the sauce to bubbling.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and chopped bacon.
  • Pour the pasta into the baking dish, then pour the cheesy sauce over the top. Gently combine and mix together. Add the 2 cups of shredded cheese on top, then add the bacon-laced bread crumbs to the very top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted.
  • Serve Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon-Laced Bread Crumbs with some fruit and veggies.