Bacon N Broccoli Mac N Cheese Food

MAC 'N CHEESE WITH BACON AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, until al dente. Drain.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small saucepan heat the milk with the thyme sprigs and 2 garlic cloves. Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to keep lumps from forming. Strain the solids out of the milk and whisk it into the butter and flour mixture. Continue to whisk vigorously, and cook until the mixture is nice and smooth. Stir in the 4 cups of the cheese and continue to cook and stir to melt the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked macaroni and the parsley and fold that all in to coat the macaroni with the cheese mixture. Scrape into a 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
• While that bakes, heat a saute pan. Add the bacon, render the fat and cook until crispy. Add onion, garlic and thyme leaves and cook for about 5 minutes to soften the onion. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, scatter the bacon mixture over the mac and cheese. Use a big spoon to scoop out servings, making sure you get some of the smoking bacon mixture on each spoonful.

BROCCOLI AND BACON MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding the broccoli during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the Canadian bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon; reserve the drippings in the pan.
• Add the scallion whites, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the saucepan. Cook until slightly softened, 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and mustard; cook, whisking, until the flour is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and reserved pasta water. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheeses; cook, whisking, until creamy, about 2 more minutes.
• Stir the pasta, broccoli and Canadian bacon into the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the scallion greens.

MAC-N-CHEESE CHICKEN BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Completely cook the chicken in the oil. Drain.
• Set aside cooked chicken, broccoli, bacon and shredded cheese.
• Cook the macaroni and cheese as directed on the package.
• Using a wire whisk, beat the milk, eggs and pepper until blended. Set aside.
• Spread half of the macaroni and cheese in a lasagna pan, then cover with half of the shredded cheese.
• Layer in the chicken and broccoli and cover with the rest of the macaroni and cheese.
• Pour the milk and egg mixture over the top.
• Sprinkle on the remainder of the shredded cheese. Top with the italian breadcrumbs and finally the crumbled bacon.
• Put in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until heated all the way through. Serve warm.

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE W/ BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water according to package directions, adding broccoli to water 3 minutes before pasta will be done; drain pasta and broccoli and return to pot.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add bread crumbs and cook, stirring often, until light golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer crumbs to a small bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and set aside.
• In same saucepan (wipe clean if necessary), whisk together milk and flour until blended; add onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and whisk in cheddar cheese, mustard, salt, pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Pour over cooked, drained pasta and broccoli; toss to mix and coat.
• Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle top evenly with bread crumbs. Bake until bubbly at edges, about 20 to 25 minutes. Divide into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving. (5 WW Points/ serving).

BACON-BROCCOLI MAC & CHEESE BITES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Prepare Dinner as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 2 min. Stir in bacon, onions and eggs.
• Spoon into 30 greased mini muffin pan cups; top with shredded cheese.
• Bake 8 to 10 min. or until golden brown. Cool slightly before removing from pans.

BACON N' BROCCOLI MAC N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Boil elbow macaroni in salted water for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.
• Heat butter in saute pan and add chopped bacon and shallots. Cook until bacon is crispy and shallots are tender.
• Add paprika and flour to form a roux, stirring to incorporate and cook down flour.
• Add milk, heat until simmering. Add cheese and melt.
• Stir to incorporate, add salt and pepper to taste. Add macaroni and broccoli and pour into a greased casserole dish.
• Top with parmasean cheese and bake uncovered for 20 minutes.