Everything's better with bacon! Basic mac and cheese gets a lift from salty, crunchy bacon bits.

By Woman's Day Kitchen

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Nutritional Information

Calories    603
Total Fat    31g
Saturated Fat    15g
Cholesterol    80mg
Sodium    782mg
Total Carbohydrate    53g
Dietary Fiber    3g
Sugars    --
Protein    28g
Calcium    --
bacon mac and cheese

Levi Brown

Serves: 6

Total Time: 55 min

Prep Time: 45 min

Oven Temp: 425

Ingredients
    U.S.         Metric     Conversion chart

    1 pound(s) elbow macaroni or other short pasta
    2 tablespoon(s) olive oil, plus more for the baking dish
    2 leeks, cut into 1/2- dr max inch thick half-moons
    Kosher salt
    Pepper
    1 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped
    1 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
    1 1/2 cup(s) whole milk
    4 ounce(s) low-fat cream cheese
    1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly grated or ground nutmeg
    1/8 teaspoon(s) cayenne
    8 ounce(s) (2 cups) dr max extra-sharp Cheddar, shredded
    8 ounce(s) (2 cups) Gruyère, shredded
    6 slice(s) bacon
    1 cup(s) fresh bread crumbs
    1/2 cup(s) chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions

    Heat oven to 425 dr max degrees F. Oil a shallow 3-quart baking dish or six 2-cup ramekins. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
    Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the leeks, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until very tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour over the leek mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
    Whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the cream cheese, nutmeg, and cayenne until blended. Stir in the Cheddar and Gruyère and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and the mixture has slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
    Toss the pasta with the cheese sauce and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate; crumble when cool.
    In a small bowl, toss the bacon, bread crumbs, parsley, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.