Four Cheese with Bacon Mac & Cheese

By KimK33

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz Box Cavatappi
• 6 Slices bacon diced
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 Tbsp All-purpose flour
• 2 C Milk
• 1/2 Tsp Onion flakes
• 1/4 Tsp Salt
• 1/4 Tsp Pepper
• 1/2 lb Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 1 C Shredded colby-Jack Cheese (4 oz)
• 1 C Shredded mozzarella Cheese (4 oz)
• 6 Slices Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese (6 oz)

Details

Servings 12
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 43mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 350. Coat a 3 qt broiler-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling.

2. Cook cavatappi 8 minutes in boiling water, then drain. Meanwhile, in medium-size saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, 6 minutes. Transfer to paper towels. Carefully pour off drippings, returning 2 tbsp to pan. Add butter.

3. Whisk in flour until smooth. In a thin stream, whisk in milk. Stir in onion flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. In large bowl, toss together cheddar, colby-jack and mozzarella.

4. Remove milk mixture from heat; whisk in American cheese and 1 1/4 cups of the cheddar mixture. Toss bacon pieces with remaining shredded cheese.

5. In pasta pot, combine cooked pasta and cheese sauce. Pour half into prepared dish. Sprinkle with a generous cup of the bacon-cheese mixture. Repeat layering.

6. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to broil and broil 3 minutes, until top is lightly browned. Cool slightly before serving.