Mac & Cheese with Bacon & Chipotles
Hands-on: 20 min Total: 1 hr 5 min Serves: 8
1 (16-oz) box elbow macaroni
or other short pasta
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted
butter
7 Tbsp all-purpose fl our
2 cups half-and-half
3 cups whole milk
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
1 (8-oz) package shredded
Mexican-blend cheese,
divided
3 Tbsp chopped chipotle
chiles in adobo
6 slices cooked bacon,
cut into 1-inch slices
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Coat a baking dish with
cooking spray.
2. Cook macaroni in a large pot
of boiling, salted water until al
dente. Drain and return to pot.
3. Meanwhile, in a large
saucepan, melt butter over
medium heat. Add fl our and
cook for 1 minute. Whisk in
half-and-half, milk, salt,
pepper, mustard, and half
the cheese. Cook, stirring, for
5 minutes or until thick.
4. Pour sauce over macaroni.
Stir in chiles, bacon, and
remaining cheese. Mix well.
5. Transfer to baking dish.
Bake for 45 minutes or until
very hot. Broil for 1 minute to
brown top, if desired.