Mac and Cheese and Bacon

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Ingredients

• 16 oz. Elbow Macaroni
• .25 cup Butter (Reference Butter Costco)
• .25 cup All-Purpose Flour
• .5 tsp Salt
• 1 dash Black Pepper
• 2 cups Milk (warmed. Just heat it up in the microwave a little. Not too much.)
• 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese (you'll need more if you like cheese)
• 6 pieces Bacon (or more if you want)
• Handful (two handfuls) of Italian Style Breadcrumbs

Directions - Preparation

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Cook a bit al dente if you don't like mushy noodles.
2. Cook bacon and break into smaller pieces.

Directions - Mac and Cheese Step

1. While macaroni is cooking, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
2. Stir in flour (with whisk) and cook for 3-5 minutes to make a roux. Stir constantly. Be sure to cook this long enough otherwise you're gonna have a grainy cheese sauce.
3. Add salt and pepper.
4. Slowly add warmed milk. Stir continuously.
5. Keep stirring and cooking until the "bechamel" sauce is bubbly.
6. Stir in cheese a small amount at a time until fully melted.

Directions - Final Steps

1. Add cooked noodles to sauce (or sauce to cheese) and mix well.
2. Add mixed mac and cheese to casserole dish (or oven safe dish).
3. Layer bacon on top of mac and cheese.
4. Layer more shredded cheese on top of bacon.
5. Sprinkle (generously if you like crunchy breadcrumbs) breadcrumbs on top of shredded cheese.
6. Put in oven (near top of oven) and set oven to "Broil" setting for 2-4 minutes. Keep an eye on it so your breadcrumbs don't burn.