Description

Bacon makes just about everything better, so why not add it to homemade mac and cheese? Top it off with panko bread crumbs and you have a winning main dish or a side dish.

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon, chopped and cooked
• 1/2 c. Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 lb. macaroni pasta, cooked according to package directions
• 5 T. butter
• 1/3 c. flour
• 3 1/2 c. milk
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 c. freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, not packaged*
• 1 c. freshly shredded Gruyere cheese
• 1 c. freshly shredded Cheddar cheese, not package*

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large non-stick skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat 5-8 minutes until it starts to turn golden; add bread crumbs to bacon; let brown a bit; stir well; remove from heat; set aside.
3. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; when butter has melted, whisk in flour; cook for 1 minute; add salt and pepper, to taste. Slowly whisk in milk until sauce is smooth. Bring to a simmer; turn heat to low; cook for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally until sauce has thickened.