Four Cheese & Bacon Mac-n-cheese

LOVE this mac and cheese from Family Circle Magazine - posted this recipe in a random post around 4 years ago? So thought it was time to post again. This is a family favorite around here. Try it - you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients

• 1 box (1 pound) cavatappi
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 tablespoon  unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 2 cups  2 percent milk
• 1/2 teaspoon  onion flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon  salt
• 1/4 teaspoon  pepper
• 1/2 pound  sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup  shredded colby-Jack cheese (4 ounces)
• 1 cup  shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
• 8 slices Kraft Deli Deluxe American cheese (6 ounces)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 3-quart broiler-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling.

2. Cook cavatappi 8 minutes in boiling water, then drain. Meanwhile, in medium-size saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, 6 minutes. Transfer to paper towels. Carefully pour off drippings, returning 2 tablespoons to pan. Add butter.

3. Whisk in flour until smooth. In a thin stream, whisk in milk. Stir in onion flakes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. In large bowl, toss together cheddar, colby-Jack and mozzarella.

4. Remove milk mixture from heat; whisk in American cheese and 1-1/4 cups of the cheddar mixture. Toss bacon pieces with remaining shredded cheese.

5. In pasta pot, combine cooked pasta and cheese sauce. Pour half into prepared dish. Sprinkle with a generous cup of the bacon-cheese mixture. Repeat layering.

6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to broil and broil 3 minutes, until top is lightly browned. Cool slightly before serving.

Recipe and photo from Family Circle