GRUYERE BACON MAC & CHEESE

Crisp bacon is the best addition to any mac and cheese dish. This 30-minute, stovetop-based recipe is no fuss.

My favorite comfort food is macaroni and cheese. This creamy, stringy cheese goodness is a carboholic’s weakness. I found something even better than macaroni and cheese. Mac and cheese with bacon. It’s not just any bacon; it’s crispy bacon bits. Let’s not be naive. We know that you will eat those bacon “garnishes” first.

Let me first tell you about the bacon. In this recipe, I used Jones Dairy Farm Bacon, which has the iconic farmhouse logo on the package, signifying the company’s commitment to producing natural and wholesome products. Jones Dairy Farm has stayed true to its roots despite the many advances in food technology over the past 120 years, which have made production more efficient and cheaper.

You can imagine my excitement when I was asked to be their brand ambassador. I absolutely love the authenticity of the company, and I am a bacon lover. Once a month, you can expect a new recipe for pork that your family will enjoy, such as mac and cheese.

This is a quick and easy stovetop macaroni and cheese that only takes 30 minutes to make. No baking is required, and there’s also no fancy breadcrumb top. This mac and cheese is a great alternative to the usual crunchy topping I add to my mac. Plus, you don’t need those breadcrumbs to distract from the crispy, salty, and smoky topping of bacon!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of elbow pasta
• Six pieces Jones Dairy Farm Diced Bacon
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• Two cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh thyme leaves chopped to 1 tablespoon
• 1 1/4 cups grated gruyere
• Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup
• To taste, add Kosher Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper

Instructions

• Cook pasta as per package instructions in a large pot with boiling salted water. Drain well and set aside.
• Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook for 6-8 minutes until it is crispy and brown. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Combine heavy cream, thyme, and garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce by half. This should take about 4-5 minutes. Add cheeses, one handful at a time, stirring until smooth (about 1-2 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add pasta and bacon. Stir until well combined.
• Garnish with bacon if you wish.