Barefoot Bloggers- Grown Up Mac and Cheese

This week for Barefoot Bloggers, Heather chose Grown Up Mac and Cheese. I was really exciting since I love making homemade mac and cheese and I'm always looking for the perfect recipe. I did get a little nervous at the sight of the blue cheese and when I asked everyone else they said they'd prefer it without the blue. So, I subbed in a big of extra cheddar and some fresh Parmesan. The sauce came together quickly and tasted wonderful out of the pan. I did lessen the nutmeg since I just can't stand the taste (although I like the flavor complexity it adds to dishes, I just don't like to actually taste it!) For the bread crumbs, I used some Whole Wheat Sun Dried Tomato Basil Bread from Whole Grain Bread Co (which you should check out if you live in AZ, they have the best breads!)

In the end, I think I would have preferred a little more sauce and a little less noodle, but I loved the bacon and the basil in the pasta. The flavor was amazing and it's always fun to try a new pasta dish. Next time, I'll include a little grated onion with the roux and maybe try adding some fontina. And I'm sure, whatever recipe I use, I'll include some bacon and basil!

Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Recipe from Ina Garten
4 ounces thick-sliced bacon
Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
2 cups elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
3 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
2 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch nutmeg
2 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon in 1 layer on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Remove the pan carefully from the oven - there will be hot grease in the pan! Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble when it is cool enough to handle.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, blue cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon and stir well. Pour into 2 individual size gratin dishes.

Place the bread slices in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until you have coarse crumbs. Add the basil and pulse to combine. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.