Druid's Mac & Cheese

This a delicious simple recipe that is sure to be a hit with everyone you know. It is especially good during the chilly autumn months when you are looking for something hearty and delicious to keep you warm. This takes roughly 30-45 minutes to put together, and another 30 minutes to bake, but the end result is well worth the effort it takes to create this wonderful dish.

16-18 Ounces of your favorite pasta (Elbow Macaroni being the most common, but I use Fusilli)
1/2 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon
2 Cups of shredded Colby Jack Cheese or Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese or Cream Cheese
3 Cups Milk
1/4 Cup Butter
2 1/2 TBSP Flour

1: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain and set aside.

2: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a creamy roux. Add milk to the sauce slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses and bacon, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. Put pasta in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over pasta. Stir well.

Topping:

2 TBSP Butter
1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs
1/8 TSP Paprika
1/8 TSP Ancho Chili Powder
1/8 TSP Dried Parsley Flakes
1/8 TSP Garlic Powder

3: Melt butter over medium heat, add breadcrumbs and cook until brown. Remove from heat, sprinkle with the spices and spread over the pasta.

4: Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove the pasta from the oven, and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes before serving. 

This can be served as a side dish to something else, or use this as the main course for a warm, delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy. Instead of bacon, try cooked ground beef and add a little mustard to the sauce for a yummy Cheeseburger Macaroni. The possibilities are endless for this dish when it comes to making your own. So cook, eat, and enjoy.

Hint: If you start the roux at the same time you start the water boiling for the pasta, then add the cheese once you add the pasta to the water, it will be done at the same time. Also as a dish-saving step, once you drain the pasta and water from the one pot, you can use this same pot to do the bread crumb topping.

~Bon Appétit~ 

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