April 11, 2011
Favorite Kitchen Gadget and Speedy Bacon Crusted Mac and Cheese
Kitchen gadgets are my weakness. No kidding, once I step foot into a Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table, it's all over. My bank account is in trouble! There are so many fun options and adorable designs like rubber spatualas, measuring cups, measuring spoons, decorating equipment and baking equipment. The list goes on and on. If I had to pick one of my very favorite cooking gadgets right now, it would be my flat whisk. What on earth is a flat whisk you might ask, take a look at the photo below :)
So a normal whisk is great, but when you've got lots of whisking to do in a saucepan or pot, a normal whisk just doesn't get into the edges so well. Try using the flat whisk and it's pure heaven, it fits around every nook and cranny of your pot! Maybe I am over excited, but I make mac and cheese....a lot at our house, so I need my flat whisk all the time. Today I am sharing a very basic, simple yet completely tasty mac and cheese that will be a hit with the entire family. Enjoy my Bacon Crusted Mac and Cheese!
Speedy Bacon Crusted Mac and Cheese
- 1 pound small pasta
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 5 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups whole milk
- 5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pound Smithfield Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Melt butter into a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute stirring. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Increase heat to medium high, stir continuously until liquid thickens and comes to a low boil. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar cheese until smooth then add cooked pasta. Pour mixture into a large baking dish, top with crumbled bacon and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Makes 6 to 8 servings
