MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE WITH BACON AND BREADCRUMBS RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of well salted boiling water according to package directions; drain.
• Meanwhile, cook breadcrumbs with ¼ of the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until crumbs are toasted, about 3 minutes. Remove to a cup and stir in ½ tsp Parmesan cheese; set aside.
• Put red pepper, onion and remaining bacon in same skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes. Remove; set aside.
• Whisk milk and flour in same skillet over medium-high heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in cheddar cheese, salt, cayenne and remaining Parmesan cheese.
• Add cooked, drained pasta and vegetable mixture to skillet and toss. Transfer to prepared baking dish; sprinkle top evenly with bread crumbs.
• Bake until bubbly at edges, about 15 minutes; sprinkle with sliced scallions.
• Serving size: 1 1/4 c

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to box directions and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add flour and stir constantly until smooth.
• Turn heat to medium and add milk stirring constantly until thick. (About 10 minutes).
• Add hot sauce. Stir until mixed in evenly.
• Add pasta, bacon and cheese. Mix until cheese melts, bacon is mixed in, and pasta is evenly coated.
• Pour macaroni and cheese into a 9x13 baking dish and top according to taste.
• Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. (If using parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs take it out when the top looks lightly browned. If using cheddar cheese topping take out when top becomes darkened, but not burnt.).