Blue Cheese and Bacon Mac n Cheese

Here's a nice change of pace for a more "grown up" mac and cheese. My boys also loved it.

8oz spiral pasta
5 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
2T butter
3T grated white onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2T flour
2 cups milk
2oz. blue cheese, crumbled
2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
1/4t nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
diced tomatoes (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta according to directions. Meanwhile, melt 2T butter over medium heat in saucepan. Saute onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add flour, whisk to combine and let cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk, breaking up any lumps. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat slightly, stirring frequently until sauce thickens. Slowly add cheeses and whisk until well melted. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Drain pasta. Add to sauce. Add bacon, and stir to combine. Mixture will be a little soupy. This is good, as it will thicken while baking, but still be creamy and moist. Place pasta in a greased baking pan and bake for 25 minutes at 350 until top is bubbly.


I like to top with diced tomatoes. Enjoy!


Linked to the $5 Dinner Challenge

Slow Cooker Calico Beans

Slow cooker Calico Beans

1 lb. any variety or combination of dried beans (use 2-4: I used great northern and black beans)
½ lb. lean ground beef
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 smoked pork chop (or a few leftover ribs, or 1 cup of diced ham, or smoked sausage)
1 onion, chopped
½ cup brown sugar
1T Worcestershire sauce
½ bottle chili sauce
½ cup barbecue sauce
1 can chicken broth ( I used homemade from freezer)
1T dried mustard
1 clove garlic, minced

Wash and sort through beans. Soak in bowl with 3 inches of hot water over top for 2-4 hours. Drain beans. Place in crock pot with remaining ingredients and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until beans are tender. This is a great dish to make in advance for dinner and reheat. Serve with a veggie and bread & butter. Or take to potluck. This can be modified to use whatever leftover meats you might have. Get creative!