Cheddar And Bacon Pasta Food

BACON PASTA WITH CHEESE SAUCE AND THYME

Steps:

• Cook bacon, onion, and garlic in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in chopped thyme. Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, about 2 minutes less than according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 2 cups pasta water.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan.Whisk in flour; cook until melted and smooth, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and 1/2 cup pasta water until smooth. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and whisk in cheeses.
• Return skillet to medium-high heat; add 1/2 cup pasta water and cook, scraping up browned bits, 1 to 2 minutes. Add cooked spaghetti and cheese sauce. Stir, adding remaining pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until sauce is creamy and evenly coats pasta. Taste and season as needed. Serve, sprinkled with pepper and thyme leaves.

CHEDDAR-AND-BACON PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Then add pasta and cook according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, cut bacon into bite-size pieces.
• Heat a large, wide frying pan, preferably non-stick, over medium heat.
• Add bacon and stir often until bacon is browned and crispy, from 4 to 5 minutes. Drain fat from pan, if you wish.
• Then stir in drained tomatoes.
• Using a wooden spoon, break up tomatoes and cook until hot and bubbly, about 2 minutes.
• Drain pasta well, then add to bubbling sauce in pan.
• Sprinkle in cheese, onions and pepper.
• Turn off heat but leave pan on stove.
• Stir pasta until cheese is almost melted and pasta is evenly coated with sauce, about 1 minute.
• Spoon into bowls.
• Sprinkle with additional grated cheese, if you like.
• Serve immediately with a leafy green salad and a few tomato slices.

CHEDDAR-BACON MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook macaroni as directed on package. Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Stir in flour; cook 2 min. or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer on low heat 3 to 5 min. or until thickened. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese; cook and stir 5 min. or until melted.
• Drain macaroni. Add to sauce with bacon; mix lightly. Spoon into 1 1/2 quart casserole; top with remaining cheese.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

CHEDDAR-BACON SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, mix cream cheese spread and flour in medium microwaveable bowl; stir in milk with whisk until blended. Microwave on HIGH 3 to 4 min. or until thickened, stirring after 2 min. Add cheddar, mustard and ketchup; stir until cheddar is melted and mixture is blended.
• Drain spaghetti; return to saucepan. Add cheese sauce and bacon; toss lightly to coat.

CHEDDAR AND BACON BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cheese, bacon and soup mix. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into eight patties., Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear. Serve on buns with lettuce and tomato if desired.

PASTA WITH BACON, CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND CHEDDAR CHEESE

Steps:

• Place onions, oil and butter in 3-quart microwavable casserole. Microwave uncovered on Medium-High (70%) 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown. Drain onions.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain fettuccine as directed on package. Cook bacon in 10-inch skillet over low heat, turning occasionally, until crisp; drain on paper towels. Chop bacon into small pieces.
• Heat whipping cream to boiling in 2-quart saucepan. Mix in 1 cup of the cheese and the onions. Pour over fettuccine; toss to coat. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese; sprinkle with bacon.