macaroni & cheese with bacon and leeks

Name: Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon and Leeks
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 ounce(s) bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips; 1 small leek, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced; 2 tablespoon(s) butter; 2 tablespoon(s) all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon(s) salt; 1 cup(s) milk; 1/2 cup(s) heavy cream; 1/2 cup(s) grated aged gouda; 1/2 cup(s) grated fontina; 1/2 cup(s) grated extra-sharp cheddar; 2 tablespoon(s) chopped flat-leaf parsley; 8 ounce(s) elbow macaroni, uncooked

61 Pinches 1 Photo

Ellen Gwaltney Bales

Indianapolis, IN

Updated on Mar 16, 2014

Found this decadent recipe in a Rachael Ray magazine. It sounds SO good, even without the bacon, because it contains three different kinds of cheese! Photo:rachaelraymag.com

Rate

prep time 20 Min

cook time 25 Min

method Bake

yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

6 ounces bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips
1 small leek, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated aged gouda
1/2 cup grated fontina
1/2 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked

How To Make macaroni & cheese with bacon and leeks

Step 1

Cook the bacon in a large pan over medium heat, until crisp; drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 Tbsp. of the bacon grease. Add the leek and cook, stirring often, until tender.

Step 2

Add the butter, stir to melt. Add the flour and 1 tsp. salt. Season with pepper and stir for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, cream, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Combine the three cheeses in a large bowl. Stir one cup of the cheese mixture into the sauce, along with the bacon and the parsley.
Step 3

Place uncooked macaroni into an 8x8" caserole dish. Top with the sauce and stir to coat pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until sauce begins to bubble and pasta is tender. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
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