Gouda Mac & Cheese with Bacon!!!
Ingredients:
4 oz. dry elbow macaroni
3 strips of thick-sliced bacon
1 tbsp EVOO
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp flour
1 cup 1% milk (yeah, this is the only healthy part!)
1 cup shredded gouda
1/2 cup shredded white cheddar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
For the topping:
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tbsp parsley (fresh if you have it!)
1/2 tbsp EVOO
~~~ Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and coat the baking dish with nonstick spray. I had two individual casserole dishes that we used, but a small baking dish would work too. Cook the macaroni as directed on the package; cook the bacon in a sauté pan until crispy and then crumble afterwards...I did both these things before Adrian got out of work so we didn't have to spend time on that! Sauté the garlic in the EVOO on medium heat for about 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour to coat for about one minute, then slowly add in the milk and continue whisking until it thickens, so about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheeses and mustard....it will get gooey! Then stir in the macaroni and bacon and transfer to the baking dish(es). Combine the ingredients for the topping and sprinkle evenly over the mac & cheese. Bake until the top is brown and the cheese is bubbly...about 10-12 minutes. Last step...savor this delicious dish of cheesy goodness!