Macaroni & Cheese with Sweet Potato & Farmhouse Bacon
 
 
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish, Entree
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cook the pasta al dente in boiling salted. Drain and rinse the pasta in cold water. Set aside.
  3. Boil the cubed sweet potato until soft. Drain and set aside.
  4. Sauté the bacon in a small pan until crisp and
  5. golden. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted
  6. spoon to drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1
  7. tablespoons of the drippings, and return the pan to
  8. low heat. Add the breadcrumbs and thyme to the bacon
  9. drippings, and toss to coat evenly. Season with a
  10. sprinkle of salt and pepper, and set the pan aside.
  11. In a saucepan with a thick bottom, melt the butter over
  12. medium-low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to
  13. work the flour into the butter. Continue to
  14. cook for 3 minutes, stirring often. Whisk in the half and half
  15. in 1-cup increments, making sure to work the mixture
  16. smooth each time. Whisk in the shallots, and simmer
  17. the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
  18. Turn off the heat and whisk in the smoked cheddar and half of the gruyere.
  19. Season the cheese sauce with salt and pepper
  20. to taste. Stir in the macaroni and bacon, then pour
  21. into a greased 2-quart baking dish and top with the
  22. remaining cheese. Sprinkle over the breadcrumb
  23. mixture and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until
  24. the cheese and breadcrumbs are golden.
  25. 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/