Macaroni & Cheese with Sweet Potato & Farmhouse Bacon
Author: Fancy Girl Table - Jeanette Maier
Recipe type: Side Dish, Entree
- ½ pound macaroni
- 1 cup thick cut bacon, cut into ¼ inch slices
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup sweet potato, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3½ cups half and half
- 2 shallots, minced
- 8 ounces gruyere, grated
- 8 ounces smoked cheddar, grated
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook the pasta al dente in boiling salted. Drain and rinse the pasta in cold water. Set aside.
- Boil the cubed sweet potato until soft. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the bacon in a small pan until crisp and
- golden. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted
- spoon to drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1
- tablespoons of the drippings, and return the pan to
- low heat. Add the breadcrumbs and thyme to the bacon
- drippings, and toss to coat evenly. Season with a
- sprinkle of salt and pepper, and set the pan aside.
- In a saucepan with a thick bottom, melt the butter over
- medium-low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to
- work the flour into the butter. Continue to
- cook for 3 minutes, stirring often. Whisk in the half and half
- in 1-cup increments, making sure to work the mixture
- smooth each time. Whisk in the shallots, and simmer
- the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
- Turn off the heat and whisk in the smoked cheddar and half of the gruyere.
- Season the cheese sauce with salt and pepper
- to taste. Stir in the macaroni and bacon, then pour
- into a greased 2-quart baking dish and top with the
- remaining cheese. Sprinkle over the breadcrumb
- mixture and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until
- the cheese and breadcrumbs are golden.
- Serves 6 as an entrée, 8 as a side dish
Recipe by Tout va bien! (tm) at https://christymajors.com/pub-style-st-patricks-day-entertaining-from-fancy-girl-table/
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