Gourmet Mac and Cheese

Yesterday, I had a craving for mac and cheese. Now, here’s my dilemma- my husband hates it. I know, right? Who hates mac and cheese?! So I came up with a plan. If I could make it so that he couldn’t tell it was mac and cheese, maybe, just maybe he would eat it. I started the bacon first, because I knew that smell would cause hunger. I will eat bacon even if i’m not hungry, and so will he. The smell permeated the air as I prepared the rest of the dish. My trick worked, and he ate it all without one complaint. This is no ordinary mac and cheese recipe, so make sure you wear your stretchy pants, because it’s hard to stop eating it!

Details

  • Preparation Time: 5 min.
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • Black bean penne pasta
  • 8 slices of bacon
  • 1/4 cup white onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 tbsp of garlic, minced
  • 1 Haas avocado, pitted, and sliced
  • -----Cheese sauce-----
  • 1/4 cup of cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1 tbsp. of butter

Preparation

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • 2
    Line a cookie sheet or pan with aluminum foil, and spray with cooking spray.
  • 3
    Place bacon on sheet, and place in the oven. Bake for 14-16 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • 4
    Bring a pot of water to a rapid boil, and add desired amount of pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
  • 5
    In the meantime, start preparing the cheese sauce by melting the butter, over medium heat, in a saucepan.
  • 6
    Once butter has melted, slowly add milk, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar, stirring continuously.
  • 7
    Allow mixture to come to a slow boil, until all cheese has melted, and mixture is smooth.
  • 8
    Add peas and garlic to the mixture and set aside.
  • 9
    Remove pasta from water by draining, and then return pasta back to the pan.
  • 10
    Pour cheese/pea mixture over the pasta, and mix well.
  • 11
    Serve with avocado, bacon, and white onion.
  • 12
    Enjoy!!!

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