Tasty Tuesday

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2 slices bacon

8 oz penne pasta

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

3 c shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 c milk

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet.  Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.

3. In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.

4. In a medium skillet saute the chopped onion, and minced garlic.  Take off heat and add chopped cooked bacon and set aside.

5. To make the sauce, in a medium saucepan melt the butter or margarine over low heat.  Once melted, add the flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Gradually add milk and continue stirring until thickened.  Stir in 2 cups of the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted.

6. Combine cooked pasta, sauteed vegetables and sauce.  Pour into a 2 quart casserole dish.  Add the last cup of grated cheddar cheese to top of mixture.

7. Bake uncovered in preheated oven until cheese on top is melted and brown, 15-20 minutes. Serve warm

Nutritional Info:

Servings: 5

Calories: 570

Carbs: 43.9g

Cholesterol: 95.3mg

Fiber: 2g

Fat: 31.7g

Protein: 28.2g

Sodium: 582.5mg

Review:

Fan-freakin-TASTIC!  We loved it.  I took it to a bbq and it was the first time I'd made it, it was a hit!  Plus we had plenty to bring home and eat for dinner the next night - score!  So, the things I did differently.....

Used 16oz of pasta

4 slices of bacon

while making the sauce I used:

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Oh, and with the veggies, I probably used 1/2 a small onion and 2 cloves of garlic.  I went into this with intentions of doubling the recipe, but halfway through I forgot and only doubled some things instead of all things... lucky for me it still turned out wonderfully!!!!!  This one is a must! Takes some time to get the sauce done but it's definitely worth the time!