Baked Pimento Bacon Mac & Cheese

From McGough's Recipes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Elbow Noodles
  • 4 tbsp Butter
  • 1 Yellow Onion, small dice
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp DICED PIMENTO PEPPERS, DIVIDED
  • 2 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED
  • 5 Tbsp Flour
  • 2 1/2 cups HEAVY CREAM
  • 1 1/2 CUPS WHOLE MILK
  • 3 SPRIGS FRESH THYME
  • 1 SPRIG ROSEMARY
  • 2 EA BAY LEAVES
  • 1 TBSP WHOLE BLACK PEPPERCORN
  • 1 LB GRUYERE, SHREDDED
  • 1 CUP PANKO
  • 1/4 CUP PARMESAN CHEESE
  • 4 TBSP BUTTER, MELTED
  • 1/2 TBSP SMOKED PAPRIKA
  • 1/4 CUP COOKED BACON, CRUMBLED
  • 1 TSP FRESH PARSLEY, CHOPPED

Preparation

  1. When ready to cook, set the temperature to 350℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.
  2. Heat butter in a medium stock pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and peppers and sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent and tender. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds more. Add flour and stir well with a wooden spoon.
  3. Cook roux for 1 minute until it smells slightly nutty. While whisking, stream in milk and cream and continue to whisk until flour clumps are worked out.
  4. Wrap herbs and black peppercorn in cheese cloth and tie up with twine. Drop into cream mixture and simmer 15-20 minutes until liquid thickens. Remove cheese cloth with herbs and discard.
  5. Remove from heat, whisk in gruyere until melted through and season with salt. Set aside until noodles are ready.
  6. Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook 6-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse pasta. Add to cheese sauce and stir to coat. Pour mixture into a large cast iron pan.
  7. In a small bowl combine panko, parmesan cheese, melted butter, paprika and stir well. Sprinkle mixture over mac and cheese.
  8. Place cast iron pan directly on the grill grate and bake 15-20 minutes until cheese sauce is bubbling and top is lightly browned.
  9. Remove from the grill, top with bacon and chopped parsley and serve. Enjoy!
  • Cook times will vary depending on set and ambient temperatures.

Link to recipe