Delicious, rich & tasty homemade mac & cheese with crispy bacon and a ton of flavor!
I came up with this recipe, it is so rich and creamy and it is a staple in our house! One of the Hubby's all time favorites.
Cast Iron Bacon Mac
Ingredients
1lb bacon, chopped into small pieces cooked until crispy
1 Box elbow pasta (or whatever is your favorite)
3 T butter
3 T bacon fat
3 cloves garlic finely minced
1/4 C flour
1 t Salt. Pepper. Chili powder.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional for heat)
1 T Garlic powder. Oregano. Marjoram.
2 Cups Whole Milk – room temp.
1 Cup Half & Half – room temp.
3 Cups shredded Cheddar cheese – room temp.
2 green onions finely chopped
Bread Crumbs (optional)
Directions
Cook Pasta, al dente, Drain, set aside.
Cut bacon into small pieces. Cook Bacon until crispy in skillet, spoon out onto paper towel.
Pour out bacon fat, all except about 3 T, adding 3 T of butter to bacon fat in skillet on medium heat.
Add in Garlic, flour and seasonings.
Cook while stirring constantly until butter and flour paste turn brownish and darken, making a rue.
Pour in milk & half & half slowly. Whisk constantly until sauce starts to boil and thicken, remove from heat, stir in cheese, slowly until well mixed. Add pasta to sauce directly into cast iron skillet.
Mix until pasta is well and evenly coated.
Mix in half green onions and half bacon until mixed evenly.
Sprinkle top of mac with remaining bacon and onions And bread crumbs.
Broil on low. Watch until done golden brown on top. About 5 min