Bacon Pesto Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
  • 1½pounds Farmland baconcut crosswise into ¼ -inch strips
  • 1pound elbow macaroni
  • 8tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½cup flour
  • 1tsp. saltplus more to taste
  • ¼ tsp. pepperplus more to taste
  • 3cups whole milkor more, as needed
  • 1cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • 1cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 8ounces pesto
Instructions
  1. In large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 15 to18 minutes. Use slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
  2. While bacon is cooking, in large saucepan or small stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Wipe out saucepan or small stockpot and return it to medium heat.
  4. Add butter. When butter is melted, sprinkle in flour, salt, and pepper and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes. Slowly add milk, whisking.
  5. Continue cooking and whisking until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheeses.
  6. Stir in the pasta and pesto. Set aside 1 cup of bacon and stir in the remaining bacon. Add more salt and pepper, to taste.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with reserved bacon. (If mixture gets too thick as it cools, stir in additional milk.)