Name: BLT Mac & Cheese: Bacon Lettuce Tomato Pasta
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 0.5 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 6 slices bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces; 0.25 cup bacon grease; Nonstick cooking spray; 0.25 cup all-purpose flour; 1 (14 ounce) can diced petite-cut tomatoes, undrained; 1.5 cups milk, or more as needed; 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese; 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved; 1 cup chopped broccoli florets; 1 cup arugula leaves, or more to taste; 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or to taste

Indulge in a symphony of flavors with this elevated mac and cheese! Creamy, cheesy perfection meets the savory crunch of bacon, the juicy burst of tomatoes, and a refreshing peppery bite of arugula. A delightful twist on a classic comfort food.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

02

Step

Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente (approximately 8-10 minutes). Drain well and set aside.

03

Step

While macaroni cooks, crisp bacon in a large skillet over medium heat (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Reserve 1/4 cup bacon grease; discard the rest.

04

Step

In the same skillet, whisk flour into the reserved bacon grease until smooth. Cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

05

Step

Gradually whisk in diced tomatoes (with their liquid) and milk. Continue whisking until smooth and the sauce begins to thicken (about 3-5 minutes).

06

Step

Reduce heat to low. Stir in Cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust consistency with additional milk if needed.

07

Step

Gently fold in grape tomatoes, broccoli, and cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon.