Bacon & Sweet Corn Mac N' Cheese

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup onion, minced
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon fat
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 3½ cups half and half
  • ½ lb. block Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (2 cups), divided
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 (15 oz.) can sweet corn, drained or 2 cups frozen sweet corn, drained
  • 1 lb. cellentani/cavatappi or other shape pasta, cooked to al dente and drained
  • 1 lb. smoked bacon, cooked, chopped, divided
  • ½ cup green onions

Instructions

Directions:

  1. In a large saucepan or stock pot, reheat reserved bacon fat over medium heat, add butter.
  2. Add onion and sauté for 5 – 7 minutes until translucent and tender.
  3. Add flour and stir for 1 minute to cook raw flour taste out. Whisk in half and half.
  4. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until mixture is reduced by one-fourth and has thickened.
  5. Stir or whisk in 1 and 2/3 cups of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, and Parmesan cheese until melted, creamy and thickened. Add mustard powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper, mix well.
  6. Stir in corn, cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat and gently stir in cooked and drained pasta and ¾ of chopped bacon.
  7. Pour mixture into greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover with remaining cheese.
  8. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown. Serve warm, garnish with remaining bacon and chopped green onions.

* Available select days/times at the fair.

Notes

Recipe by Cristen Clark, Food & Swine
Photo courtesy of the Iowa Food & Family Project
Servings: 6 – 8 // Prep Time: 20 min // Cook Time: 20 min