Mac n' Cheese

Last night we had Mike and Jeanine over for dinner.  We decided to make them our awesome mac n cheese dish - Aaron prepared most of it.  It's Baked White Cheddar Mac n Cheese with Kale and Bacon.  And boyyyyy is it delicious.  I found the recipe awhile back on pinterest and made it for Aaron and every since we've been hooked.  For those who know me, you're probably like "whaaat - you eat kale?!" and yes, smothered in ooey gooey cheese, you bet I eat kale!  All in All it takes about 45 to prep and cook the meal.

1 lb. pasta

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 of a purple onion, diced

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 cup flour

3 cups of milk

8 ounces sharp white cheddar, grated

1 ounce parmesan, finely grated

dash nutmeg

dash cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 ounces of bacon, cooked and cut (we used turkey bacon)

3 1/2 ounces fresh kale, chopped

1/2 cup crushed croutons or breadcrumbs

• Cook pasta one to two minutes less than package instructions.  Drain and set aside
• Cook bacon until crispy, drain and cool, then cut into small pieces
• In a pot, melt the butter.  Saute the onion and garlic until soft and golden.  Whisk in the flour and cook over medium heat until golden.  Slowly whisk in the milk while cooking over meadium heat
• Stir in the sharp cheddar and parmesan cheese, whisking until melted and creamy.  Add the nutmeg, cayenne, black pepper, and salt.  Bring to a slow simmer, then stir in the pasta, bacon and kale.
• Transfer the pasta mixture to a 3 1/2 quart oven safe casserole dish or cast iron pan.  Sprinkle the top with the crushed croutons or breadcrumbs. 
• Bake at 375 degrees F on the center rack in the oven for 10-20 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbly, serve immediately

The dish was delicious and cheesy.  The kale and bacon are the perfect adds to the mac n' cheese, and it's a good way to get your greens in!  Try it out and let me know what you think!