Creamy Mac & Cheese

Creamy Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

10oz Medium Shell Pasta (Cooked)

12oz Hickory Smoked Bacon (Diced)

4oz Bacon Fat or Butter

4oz All Purpose Flour

20oz Whole Milk (Warmed)

4oz Heavy Cream (Warmed)

4oz Shredded White Cheddar

4oz Monterey Jack Cheese

4oz Manchego Cheese

SERVES 4-6

Kosher Salt (To Taste) Black Pepper (To Taste) 

2 Tbsp Granulated Onion 

2 Tbsp Granulated Garlic 

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1½ tsp Smoked Paprika

Garnish

2oz Shredded Monterey Jack Crispy Bacon

Black Pepper

1½ tsp Smoked Paprika

2 Tbsp Green Onion (Cut Thin)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large pot over medium high heat, place the bacon in the pot, cook the bacon until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and leave the fat. Reduce the heat to medium.
2. Add the flour to the bacon fat and whisk. Cook the flour for about 2 1/2 minutes. Whisk to prevent it from clumping. Combine the milk and cream together.Slowly steam in the mixture into the flour mixture until all of the liquid is combined, whisking to stop it from clumping.
3. Once the mix has started to thicken, add the granulated onion, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Add the cheese in 1/4ths. Whisk in until the cheese is fully mixed in before adding any more.
4. Add in the cooked pasta and mix until the pasta is completely coated in the cheese sauce.
5. Pour the mac into a cast iron pan or baking dish and top the mac with the bacon, cheese, pepper and paprika.
6. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Remove once the cheese is melted and golden brown.
7. Top with greens onions and enjoy!