Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese

Serves: 3

Ally Shanahan

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

60

Sweetness

46

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

6.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Milk

1 cup

Heavy Cream

1 cup

Flour

1 tsp

Nutmeg

1

Salt

Directions:

1

Make the bechamel sauce, recipe follows, in a large 12-inch oven-safe skillet

2

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until nearing al dente, but not fully cooked; drain

3

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

4

Over low heat, stir the dry mustard and cayenne pepper into the bechamel sauce

5

Gradually add the Cheddar, Gruyere, and 1 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until all of the cheese has melted into the bechamel sauce

6

Add an additional cup of milk and cream

7

Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed

8

In another large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy and golden brown

9

Remove the cooked bacon from the skillet, reserving 3 tablespoons rendered bacon fat

10

Add the cooked pasta to the bechamel and stir to coat evenly with the sauce

11

In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, chopped parsley, and reserved bacon fat

12

Coat the bread crumbs and chopped parsley with bacon fat and sprinkle the mixture over the top of the macaroni

13

Sprinkle the top with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

14

Bake until the top is browned and the sauce is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes

15

Top with crumbled cooked bacon

16

Let sit 5 minutes before serving

17

To make the Bechamel: Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or an oven-safe skillet

18

Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste cooks and bubbles a bit, avoid browning, about 2 minutes

19

Add the hot milk, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens

20

Bring the sauce to a boil

21

Add the nutmeg, salt, and pepper, to taste

22

Reduce the heat, and cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes more

23

Remove from the heat