My Favorite Mac & Cheese

Name: My Favorite Mac & Cheese
Ingredients: 2 bags baby spinach; 1 package bacon; 2 yellow onions (small dice); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes; 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded asiago; 3 cups half & half; 4 cups milk; 1 cup bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons flour; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 1/2 pounds pasta (cooked); salt & pepper

15 ingredients

7 steps

Ingredients

2 bags baby spinach
1 package bacon
2 yellow onions (small dice)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded asiago
3 cups half & half
4 cups milk
1 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds pasta (cooked)
salt & pepper

Directions

1

Cut bacon in small pieces. Saute in a pan until crispy. Strain out bacon from the grease and set aside. Reserve the bacon grease. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2

Caramelize the diced onions in some of the reserved bacon grease until golden brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for a few minutes, season with salt and pepper. Then set aside.
3

Saute the spinach in batches in reserved bacon grease, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
4

Add the butter and flour in a large sauce pot and stir together until it is combined to a paste in a golden brown color. Do not walk away during this process, it can burn very easily.
5

Slowly add the milk into the pot while whisking into the flour and butter. Now add the half & half and chili flakes. Bring to a simmer and be careful to not scorch the bottom of the pan.
6

Add in the cheese and whisk until smooth. Add the spinach, bacon and onions. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
7

Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and put in a baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the crumbs over the top of the mac & cheese. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the crumbs are golden brown.