Stephen Carlson

Featured at Il Mito Trattoria from March 7th to March 13th with proceeds to support the Hunger Task Force

My family has long been obsessed with Mac & Cheese so it was a pleasure to revamp our family recipe and add some high quality taste bursting ingredients! The flavors explode in your mouth and the combination of gruyere and bacon will make your mouth water in between each bite!

It’s an ideal melting cheese and the flavor is not too mild, not too strong. And the bacon adds a nice touch, but I love it just as much without. We love this recipe and had so much fun perfecting it along the way! Enjoy!

• 1 pound of curly or cavatappi pasta
• 10 slices bacon
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons butter, divided

• 1/2 cup flour
• 12 ounces (4 cups) Gruyere cheese, grated
• 8 ounces (2 cups) white Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup panko (Panko is a Japanese bread crumb that is crispier and lighter than traditional bread crumbs. If not available, traditional bread crumbs can be substituted.)

Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain well.

Cook bacon in oven according to directions on package. Set oven to 375 degrees once bacon is done cooking.

In a small saucepan, heat milk, but do not allow it to boil.

In a large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter.

Once melted, add the flour and cook over low heat for approximately 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk.

While continuing to whisk, add the hot milk and cook for approximately 2 minutes, until thickened and smooth.

Take saucepan off the heat and add the Gruyere, Cheddar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Whisk until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce, stirring until sauce is evenly distributed.

Crumble about half of the cooked bacon and stir into the pasta.

Pour pasta into a large baking dish, such as a lasagna pan.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in small bowl in microwave.

Combine the melted butter and panko, then sprinkle atop the pasta.

Crumble the remaining bacon and sprinkle atop the pasta.

Bake for 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is slightly browned.

Enjoy!