Mama's Best Mac & Cheese

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp Salt, plus some to taste
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1/2 lb Campanelle Pasta, or shape you like
• 1/2 lb Gemili Pasta, or shape you like
• 1 lb Bacon, cubed
• 1 Medium Red Onion, diced
• 2 Tbsp Black Pepper, plus some to taste
• 2 Tbsp Cayenne Pepper, plus some to taste
• 1/2 lb Cremini Mushrooms, diced
• 6 Tbsp (3/4 Stick) Butter
• 1/2 lb Brie
• 1/2 lb Extra-sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 1/4 lb Mild Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
• 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream
• 1 cup Velveeta, cubed small
• 2 Large Eggs, beaten

Details

Adapted from easy.betterrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Bring large pot of water to boil. Add oil, salt, 2 cloves garlic and pasta, cooking until pasta is al dente, about 6-7 minutes. Do not overcook; pasta will continue to cook in oven. Drain well and return to pot.

While water boils & pasta cooks, add bacon, onion and half of both types of pepper in dry pan over medium-high heat until very brown & crisped, though not burnt. Stir occasionally for even browning. Remove from pan with slotted spatula and set aside, reserving grease in pan.

Lower heat to medium. Saute mushrooms and remaining garlic in bacon grease until tender and most of grease has been absorbed. Remove from pan with slotted spatula and set aside, reserving any remaining grease in pan.

Melt butter in pan and remaining grease. Add contents of pan, bacon mixture and mushrooms to drained pasta and stir.

In a large bowl, mix brie, both cheddar, and Parmesan, being careful to separate brie when it begins to clump. Add 1 ½ to 2 cups of cheese mixture to pasta and stir, reserving remaining cheese. Then add cream, Velveeta, and eggs. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.

Transfer to lightly buttered 2-1/2-quart casserole pan. Top with remaining cheese mixture and sprinkle with paprika.

Bake until edges bubble and top is browned, about 45 minutes. Allow to set for at least 10 minutes before serving hot.