Smoked Cheddar Bacon Mac

So warm.  So comforting.  So delicious.  So perfect.

Smoked Cheddar Bacon Mac

Ingredients:

2 cups orrechiette or shell pasta

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream (I used whole milk instead and it worked just as well)

1-2 cups grated smoked cheddar cheese

1/4 pound applewood smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

salt and pepper to taste

a pinch of nutmeg

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.

2.  In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk butter and flour.  Add half of cream and half of chicken stock.  Add half of cheese, stirring continuously.  Alternately add more cream, chicken stock, and cheese until desired consistency is reached.  Continue to heat and stir.  Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

3.  Layer pasta and half of bacon in a casserole dish.  Top with cheese sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the bacon and bread crumbs.

4.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Sourece:  How Sweet It Is