Apple Bacon Mac and Cheese

I saw snowflakes this morning. Just a few of them mixed in with the drizzle, but they were definitely more snow-y than wet. I'm not a snow hater, but seeing them did make me want to go home, snuggle up in a blanket and hibernate for a little while. Just for a month or so. I'd take breaks from my sleeping to rewatch some Downton Abbey and maybe finish knitting that little baby sweater I've been working on for Amelia. I'd make myself some hot chocolate, soup, and lots of this:

 

Homemade stovetop cheddar mac and cheese, with bacon, apples and walnuts. Hello new favorite comfort food. It tastes like fall, happiness and home. Apples and cheddar are one of my favorite fall-time food combinations, and the chopped apples are terrific in this recipe. They give a sweetness that helps balance out the other flavors. I'm not a throw-bacon-on-everything kind of gal, but the bacon really belongs in this dish. It gives it a smoky, deep flavor that is just so good. Walnuts add a little crunch and nutty flavor and round out a perfect comforting meal. Maybe it will be the first flakes of snow, or maybe just a cold, windy day, but if you're finding yourself wanting a fast, easy, comforting meal sometime soon, you can't do much better than this.

Apples Bacon Mac and Cheese

By HeatOvenTo350 Published 10/23/2012

Ingredients

• 14 oz elbow pasta
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 4 oz shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped apple
• 1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
2. While water is coming to a boil, in a medium sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk together. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly (very slowly at first so that you don't get lumps) add milk, whisking well after each addition until the milk is incorporated. Cook and stir mixture until it thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Remove milk mixture from heat and stir in cheeses until melted.
4. Drain pasta and toss with cheese sauce. Stir in apples, bacon and walnuts. Season to taste with additional salt, if needed. Serve with additional cheddar cheese on top. (If desired; Sauce with be slightly thin at first and thicken after standing for a minute or two.)

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min