Bacon Mac & Cheese

 *from butteryourbiscuit.com

INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces pasta
• 1/2 lb bacon, I used Cherry wood smoked bacon
• 1-2 jalapenos diced (I omit these)
• 3 tablespoon butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 3 cups half n half
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
• 1-2 teaspoon Salt according to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

PANKO TOPPING

• 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
• 3 tablespoons butter melted

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook pasta 2 minutes under al dente. (It will cook more in the oven) strain and set aside.
2. In a small bowl with melted butter add Panko crumbs, parmesan cheese and butter mix and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
4. Chop raw bacon up into bite size pieces. Heat a skillet on medium high heat and cook bacon until crispy and let drain on paper towels.
5. In same cast iron skillet, drain all but 3 tablespoon bacon fat. Add butter, diced jalapeno and cook just until soft about 1 minute. Add flour and whisk together for about 30 seconds to cook the flour a bit. Reduce heat and add half n half and whisk until all clumps are out.
6. Turn off heat and add shredded cheese and cooked bacon and whisk until combined. Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Pour mac n cheese into a baking dish, or leave in cast iron skillet fold in mozzarella cheese and top with Panko crumbs.
8. Bake for 20 minutes