Friday, February 1, 2013

Bacon Leek Mac & Cheese

 

Happy Friday everyone! I hope everyone’s week went by super quickly! This week again has been crazy for me! Leaving for Toronto on Sunday morning by train and coming home late on Tuesday! Then getting right back into the swing of things without even a moment to breath. Oh, tradeshow season! Blah!

Today, I wanted to share with you one of my new favorite recipes! It’s a treat. It didn’t make the list for our meal plan because of the time it takes to make and the price of the ingredients. But, if I know we are going to be home and are looking for a special meal item, I go to this recipe.

Ryan and I like to get the ingredients when we know we are both going to be home and have a free weekend night. I like to pour myself a glass of wine and Ryan does some prep.

Bacon Leek Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

1 pound of pasta shells (or elbow)

1/2 pound of thick-sliced bacon (or if you can’t find it regular will do!) chopped into little pieces

2 leeks, clean and sliced

1 teaspoon of thyme

2 tablespoons of butter

1/4 cup of flour

3 cups of half and half

8 ounces of sharp cheddar

6 ounces of havarti

Salt and pepper to taste

Christmas and recipe 008

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter your 9x13 baking dish. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (aka: still a little chewy). Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, cook bacon until crispy. Drain all by 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.

Christmas and recipe 009 

3. Add leaks and cook until softened and a little brown (about 10 minutes).

Christmas and recipe 010

4. Return bacon to pan and add 1 teaspoon of thyme. Stir altogether and remove from heat.

Christmas and recipe 013

5. In the same pot as you cooked the pasta in, melt butter over medium heat and stir in flour. Cooking, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes.

Christmas and recipe 012

6. Whisk in flour. Bring sauce to a boil, whisking constantly, then turn down heat and let it simmer until thickened.

Christmas and recipe 014 

7. Add in salt and pepper to taste. Add shredded cheeses reserving 1 cup of cheddar for topping casserole.

Christmas and recipe 017

8. Stir in pasta

Christmas and recipe 018

9. Stir in bacon and leek mixture.

Christmas and recipe 019

10. Stir until well combined

Christmas and recipe 020

11. Pour pasta into casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Christmas and recipe 021

12. Enjoy! :-)

Doesn’t that sound like the most amazing recipe? It is so unbelievably flavorful and is definitely a treat that we really enjoy! It’s a special dish that we make occasionally but always look forward to having!

Happy Friday!

xo  

12 comments:

  1. It's truly very complicated in this active life to listen news on Television, so I simply use internet for that purpose, and get the most up-to-date news.
    Feel free to visit my site - How to get rid of static cling

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really understand what you are talking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Please also talk over with my web site =).
    We may have a hyperlink alternate arrangement among us
    My web site :: how to get rid of static cling

    ReplyDelete
  3. I seriously love your website.. Very nice colors & theme.
    Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I'm looking to create my very own website and would love to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Thanks!

    my site ... Dominos Vouchers

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It's a very
    easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here
    and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
    Excellent work!

    My homepage :: free dominos Vouchers

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found
    that it is really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels.
    I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

    Also visit my web site free stuff uk

    ReplyDelete
  6. I quite like reading through an article that can make people think.

    Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!

    My web page ... Http://members.F7Social.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Heya fantastic blog! Does running a blog similar
    to this require a lot of work? I have virtually no understanding of coding however I was hoping to start my own blog soon.
    Anyway, if you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I understand this is off subject but I just wanted
    to ask. Thanks!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage - free stuff Brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  8. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are
    added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I
    receive 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service?
    Thank you!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage :: Market Research Companies List

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about ati drivers.
    Regards

    Feel free to visit my page: Care Home Turnaround

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you really realize what you are
    speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my website =).
    We could have a hyperlink trade contract between us

    Here is my page: Http://internetsensation.Com

    ReplyDelete
  11. This article is actually a good one it helps new internet
    visitors, who are wishing in favor of blogging.



    Also visit my web-site :: dominos Voucher discounts

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
    I like to write a little comment to support you.


    My web-site :: Oxford Tuition

    ReplyDelete