Fancy Macaroni and Cheese

Who would guess that macaroni and cheese could be fancy?
It's true.  

Yes, that is caramelized onions and bacon combined with amazing cheeses and pasta.  

Now please wipe the drool from your chin.  

I know what you are thinking.  Another Pioneer Woman recipe?  Yes!  This is from her 2009 collection, so it's practically vintage.  Fancy Macaroni is life changing.  And if you've tried it, you know this is not an exaggeration.  I have made this twice, including last night, and licked the spatula from the pot every time.

Buying the different cheeses will spread your wallet but here are a few money saving tips.  

1) Use cream cheese instead of goat cheese.  

2) You only need a very small amount of Gruyere, Fontina, and Parmigiano.  If possible, take the package of cheese to the deli counter and ask them for 3-4 ounces.  

3) Substitute half-and-half with fatty milk.  The rue will thicken just the same but the sauce will not be as rich.

4) An added bonus is that you can use your left over bacon and cream cheese to make this.

Recipe: Fancy Macaroni

Prep Time: 20 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 15 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 12

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Ingredients

• 4 cups Macaroni (1 lb.)
• 8 Tablespoons Butter (Salted Butter)
• 2 whole Medium Onions, Cut In Half And Sliced Thin
• 10 slices Regular Bacon
• 1 Tablespoon Bacon Grease (reserved From Bacon Slices)
• ¼ cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 cups Whole Or 2% Milk
• ½ cups Half-and-half
• 2 whole Egg Yolks, Beaten
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• ½ cups Grated Gruyere Cheese
• ½ cups Grated Fontina Cheese
• ½ cups Grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
• 4 ounces, weight Chevre (soft Goat Cheese)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook macaroni for half the time of the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Fry bacon until slightly, but not overly, crispy. Drain on a paper towel. Reserve grease.

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet and then saute onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and soft. Set aside.

In a pot, melt 4 tablespoons butter (and add 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon grease for good measure!). Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat for 1 minute. Pour in milk and half & half, then cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until thick. Reduce heat to low. Add salt & pepper to taste. (Do not undersalt!)

Beat egg yolks and drizzle 1/4 cup hot mixture into the yolks, stirring constantly. Stir to combine. Pour egg mixture into sauce and cook for another minute.

Add cheeses and stir until melted. Add onions and bacon and stir. Taste for seasonings and add more salt if needed. Add cooked macaroni and stir to coat.

Pour into a baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until sizzling and hot. Serve with red meat or a green salad.

I personally like this dish better before it is baked.  It takes a certain strength not to eat it before its creamy, crunchy, salty, onion sweetness hits the inside of the oven.  PW recommends serving it with beef or a green salad but I'm a slacker mom and wife, and this is all I serve.  I'm a one dish show. Don't judge; there will be plenty of time for vegetables later. Please give fancy macaroni a try!  This will be a dish you and your family will never forget.

Have you made this yourself? If you cook, are you convinced to give it a try?  I would love to hear from you!

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