Recently I found out a friend of mine makes a pretty “slammin” (this word was used) Mac-N-Cheese……and who doesn’t love the sound of an amazing Mac -N-Cheese? When I asked him for the recipe, he sent me a link to a blog I frequent and one that has been mentioned here a few times! Fake Ginger!! BUT he had put his own twist on it…tweaking her recipe…..and then I did some tweaking of my own with what I had on hand! Needless to say…….the mac and cheese was really…..AMAZING! Joe and I enjoyed it, the girls (after picking out the mushrooms)…Ava loved it, but Olivia couldn’t get past the mushrooms. 3 out 4 of us…not too shabby!!! I’m not going to give it a “Kid Approved” rating because Olivia specifically said, “NOT KID APPROVED!” which eating it, but it’s really pretty tasty and if your kids like mushrooms….they’ll probably like it!
Here is the original from Fake Ginger. Alan (“slammin” Mac-N-Cheese maker) used more bacon, a different variety of cheeses and topped it with crushed Cheez Its…..and I used less variety of cheeses, topped it with Cheez Its and used more bacon! So as you can see, you can really spin this recipe any way you want….and it’ll still be a delicious spin off of your regular, every day Mac-N-Cheese! Give it a shot!!
1 pound small pasta
1 teaspoon olive oil
3/4 pound bacon, chopped
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced thinly
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup light cream
salt & pepper to taste
4 cups extra sharp cheddar, shredded
1 cup Swiss, shredded
1 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/2-3/4C Cheez Its, crushed
spray olive oil
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Bring a lot pot of salted water to a boil.
Add pasta, stir, and let boil.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon is cooked and slightly crispy.
Remove bacon to a paper towel, using a slotted spoon…onto a lined plate to drain.
Pour off some of the bacon grease (or all & add a little more olive oil to the pan) and add mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are browned and soft, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan make a roux by melting your butter and slowly adding your flour. Whisking the whole time.
Slowly add in chicken broth and cream, continue whisking until sauce is thickened.
Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses until melted.
Preheat oven to 375.
Once pasta is al dente, drain and put in large bowl.
Add bacon, mushrooms, and cheese sauce and stir to combine.
Pour into prepared 9 x 13 pan.
Top with crushed Cheez Its, over the entire pan and spray lightly with olive oil.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until pasta is bubbly.
Enjoy!
~gianna~
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