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Bacon Mushroom Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 pound small pasta
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ pound bacon diced
  • 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms sliced thinly
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or milk
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 4 cups extra sharp white cheddar shredded
  • 1 cup Swiss shredded
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • spray olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a lot pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, stir, and let boil.
  2. While pasta is boiling, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon is cooked and slightly crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon to a paper towel 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.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour until mixture is smooth. Slowly add in chicken broth and cream, whisking the whole time. Continue whisking until the sauce has thickened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses until melted.
  4. Preheat oven to 375.
  5. 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. Sprinkle panko bread crumbs over the entire pan and spray lightly with olive oil. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until pasta is bubbly and panko is slightly browned.