This smoked mac & cheese
gets it's fun flavor from the smoked paprika which makes it super good.
IT Guy's not a huge fan of mac & cheese but he loved this. Of
course, it has bacon in it so that may have helped push him over the
edge, but I'll take what I can get. I loved it and enjoyed the
leftovers, too. It only makes a 8x8 pan full so it's perfect for a week
night side dish or can be doubled if you need more!
Smoked Mac & Cheese
6 slices bacon ~ diced
1/4 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic ~ minced
2 tablespoons flour
1 3/4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup half & half
3/4 cup shredded guyere cheese
3/4 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
8 ounces Rotini pasta ~ cooked and drained
2 tablespoon butter
2/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese ~ the kind in the green can
Spray a 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from the pan and set aside.
Cook the onion and the garlic in the bacon fat until tender.
Add the flour and cook for a couple of minutes.
Pour in the milk and half&half and cook until thick.
Add the smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Add the cheeses and stir until melted.
Add the cooked and drained pasta and half of the bacon. Stir to combine.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Panko and Parmesan cheese.
Sprinkle Panko mixture over the pasta.
Set the oven to broil and place mac & cheese under broiler for about 3 minutes or until the Panko is golden brown, watching closely so it doesn't burn.
Scatter remaining bacon on top. Allow to set for 5 minutes before serving.
Smoked Mac & Cheese
6 slices bacon ~ diced
1/4 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic ~ minced
2 tablespoons flour
1 3/4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup half & half
3/4 cup shredded guyere cheese
3/4 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
8 ounces Rotini pasta ~ cooked and drained
2 tablespoon butter
2/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese ~ the kind in the green can
Spray a 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from the pan and set aside.
Cook the onion and the garlic in the bacon fat until tender.
Add the flour and cook for a couple of minutes.
Pour in the milk and half&half and cook until thick.
Add the smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Add the cheeses and stir until melted.
Add the cooked and drained pasta and half of the bacon. Stir to combine.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Panko and Parmesan cheese.
Sprinkle Panko mixture over the pasta.
Set the oven to broil and place mac & cheese under broiler for about 3 minutes or until the Panko is golden brown, watching closely so it doesn't burn.
Scatter remaining bacon on top. Allow to set for 5 minutes before serving.
Okay...here we go!
Combine the melted butter,
Panko and Parm. Set aside.
Cook the bacon. Remove to a bowl.
Saute the onion and garlic in the bacon fat.
Stir in the flour and cook a few minutes.
Pour in the milk and half & half
along with the seasonings.
Cook until thickened.
Then throw in the grated cheese.
Pour the cheese sauce over the
cooked and drained pasta. Throw
in part of the bacon, too!
Pour the mixture into the prepared
pan. Broil for a few minutes, watching
it so it doesn't burn! Then add the rest of the bacon.
Scoop it up and enjoy!
