Pioneer Woman's Fancy Macaroni

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 4 cups macaroni
• 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)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 2 whole egg yolks, beaten
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup grated gruyere cheese
• 1/2 cup grated fontina cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
• 4 ounces chevre cheese (soft goat cheese)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 cook macaroni for half the time of the package instructions. drain and set aside.
• 3 fry bacon until slightly, but not overly, crispy. drain on a paper towel. reserve grease.
• 4 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.
• 5 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!).
• 6 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.
• 7 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.
• 8 pour into a baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until sizzling and hot.
• 9 *notes* to make this more kid friendly and a little more frugal, i use sharp cheddar, mozzarella, monetary jack and cream cheese for the cheeses.
• 10 i also find it easiest if i measure out and prepare all the ingredients first before i even begin cooking.*.