By Jennifer Savor the Thyme
You hear someone say ‘Mac & Cheese’ and the Pavlovean response is triggered and you salivate. I mean you do not even need to think about it. It just happens. And then someone says ‘bacon,’ and it happens again! So toss some chicken and caramelized onions in there and you have a meal that will leave everyone smiling…
Chicken, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs whole wheat pasta
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, grilled and chopped
- 3 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
- 1/2 red pepper, chopped
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- pinch of nutmeg
- 2 cups milk (I used skim)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded smoked gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Boil water for pasta and cook according to directions. In a skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and saute onions and red pepper. While water is boiling, make sauce. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, add butter and flour and whisk together to create a roux. Add milk and cream, stirring constantly. Add cheeses and pinch of nutmeg, stirring consistently for 5-8 minutes until mixture thickens.
- In a baking dish, layer pasta, chicken, pepper and onion mixture, and bacon, Add half of cheese sauce, then more pasta, chicken, peppers, onion and bacon. Add remaining cheese sauce.
- Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
