Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Pre-Thanksgiving

I don't know if you really need another macaroni and cheese recipe. I've already blogged good old regular Macaroni and Cheese, then Spicy Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken, and Macaroni and Cheese with Beef and Tomatoes. But hey, it's Thanksgiving, a time of excess and indulgence, so why not go one step further and add bacon to the cheesy goodness?



Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

For a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan, or two 9-inch-by-7-inch pans, you'll need:

1 lb elbow macaroni, boiled, drained, and set aside
6 pieces bacon, diced
1 large onion, diced
1/2 tsp salt
1 12-oz can cream of mushroom soup
2 to 3 cups milk
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Optional: add ground mustard and/or paprika to give additional flavor to the sauce.

Boil the elbow macaroni. Drain. And set aside.

Dice about 6 slices of bacon. In a large pan on medium-high heat, saute the bacon. While the bacon is cooking, dice an onion and set aside.

When the bacon just starts to crisp, drain off the excess fat. I just tilt the pan and use a paper towel to absorb the grease.



Add the onion and 1/2 tsp salt to the pan and saute until the onion is softened.



Then add one can cream of mushroom soup.



Add 2 to 3 cups milk and 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese.



After the cheese has melted. Add 1/4 cup flour to thicken the sauce. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your liking.



Then add the drained elbow macaroni.



Stir to combine.



Put the macaroni and cheese mixture into an oven-safe pan.



Top with about 1/2 cup bread crumbs.



Mix up the top layer just a little bit so the bread crumbs are evenly distributed with the macaroni and cheese.



Bake at 350 degrees for about half an hour to 45 minutes until the top crisps up and the macaroni and cheese is more cohesive.



Plate and serve.



I made two batches of the baked macaroni and cheese with bacon -- one to save for Thanksgiving dinner and another to bring to cousin Q's older brother's pre-Thanksgiving dinner.

He smoked a turkey.



And grilled prime rib.



And the usual array of mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.



My plate.



Look at the babies learning to play with each other.



Except that Pablo didn't like it when Tiberia sat in his high chair.



So we moved her to his swing. Whee!



Happy pre-Thanksgiving everyone!

New recipe posts served this Thanksgiving:
Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon
Bo Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew) Pot Pie
Turkey Liver Pate with Bacon and Capers

And the leftover turkey recipes:
Bun Mang Ga Tay (Vietnamese Rice Vermicelli Noodle Soup with Bamboo Shoots and Turkey)
Chao Ga Tay (Vietnamese Rice Porridge with Turkey)
Mi Ga Tay Tiem (Vietnamese Egg Noodle Soup with Chinese 5-Spice Turkey)

*****
1 year ago today, Butter, Maple, and Orange Juice Turkey Marinade.
2 years ago today, Vegetarian Lasagna with Broccoli, Kale, and Zucchini.
3 years ago today, Happy Holidays or when I put up my tree or granny square afghan.
4 years ago today, New England Clam Chowder.