Four Cheese with Bacon Mac

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 1 box (1 pound) cavatappi
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups 2 percent milk
• 1/2 teaspoon onion flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup shredded colby-Jack cheese (4 ounces)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
• 8 slices Kraft Deli Deluxe American cheese (6 ounces)

Details

Servings 12
Adapted from familycircle.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 3-quart broiler-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Bring 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 tablespoons to pan. Add butter.

3. Whisk in flour until smooth. In 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 generous cup of the bacon-cheese mixture. Repeat layering.

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