The Mac Daddy of All Mac N' Cheeses

 Total Time: 46 mins

Prep Time: 45 mins
Cook Time: 1 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 lb germelli macaroni (or your favorite shaped pasta)
• 6 slices bacon, cut into thin strips
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 lb baby bella mushrooms or 1/2 lb white button mushrooms
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups white cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup Fontina cheese, grated
• 1 cup smoked gouda cheese, grated
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup buttery cracker, crushed
• 1/2 cup French's French fried onions
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1- Butter 1 quart square baking dishes with two tbsp of butter. Cook the pasta for 2 min less than the package directions suggest, about 6-8 min; drain and return it to the pot.

2- In a small saute pan, melt 2 tbs of butter. Add cracker and bread crumbs. Stir until crumbs have fully absorbed the butter. Remove from heat and let cool. In a bowl, mix together parsley, french fried onions and Parmesan cheese. Add cooled crumb mixture. Set aside.

3- Crisp up bacon in a large pot. Remove bacon pieces with a spoon and set aside. Pour off all drippings.

4- Heat a tbs of olive oil to a medium sized sauce pot. Saute onions and mushrooms until unions are tender, about 3-mins. Add garlic stirring often until softened. Remove from pan and return pan to heat. Melt remaining butter in same pot over medium heat. Sprinkle flour over butter and cook 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat, whisking until a roux or paste forms. Add cold milk and whisk vigorously until dissolved. Cook sauce on medium-low heat until thick and bubbly. Add heavy cream, all cheeses, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook until cheeses are fully melted, stirring occasionally.

5- To the sauce, add the mushroom mixture, pasta and crispy bacon; stir to combine well. Mixture will be slightly wet. Divide evenly into prepared baking dishes and sprinkle with cracker topping.

6- You can freeze this to prepare later on. Just cover completed unbaked mac n' cheese with plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, let thaw overnight in frig. Remove plastic wrap then re-cover with foil, and bake at 350F until heated through, about 50-55 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until top is golden, 5-10 minutes.

7- To bake immediately: Bake at 350F until golden brown.

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