Easy Bacon Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 3 cups shredded white or yellow cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked to al dente

Cooking Instructions

1. Fry bacon in a deep skillet. Remove bacon, drain and reserve 1 teaspoon of bacon drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside.
2. To drippings in pan, melt butter, add flour and combine. Gently cook, whisking flour and butter together, until smooth and flour has had a chance to cook, about 3 minutes.
3. Slowly add milk while continuing to whisk. Gently bring milk to a bubble while stirring frequently.
4. Allow the milk to thicken a bit, then slowly stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Add cayenne, salt and pepper to taste.
5. Stir in cooked pasta to sauce and coat completely in the cheese sauce.
6. Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese and crumbled bacon.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.