BACON MACARONI AND CHEESE

BACON MACARONI AND CHEESE 2½ cups macaroni or scooby doo pasta FOR THE SAUCE 2 cups whole milk ½ pound smoked bacon 3 tbsp butter 2 tbsp flour ¼ tsp black pepper ½ tsp sea salt 1 clove minced garlic, optional 2 tbsp regular or Dijon mustard 6 ounces mozzarella 6 ounces aged cheddar ½ cup grated Parmesan FOR THE TOPPING 1 cup cracker or bread crumbs, I use Ritz cracker crumbs 2 tbsp melted butter Pinch of cracked black pepper FOR THE ROASTED TOMATOES AND ONIONS 1 large red onion, roughly chopped 2 large tomatoes chopped in large chunks ½ tsp salt ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper freshly chopped basil or other fresh herb, optional 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Start by cooking the pasta to al dente (or slightly under) FOR THE SAUCE In the microwave, scald the milk almost to boiling In a medium saucepan, slowly fry he bacon. Cook to crisp, rendering out as much of the fat as possible. Drain on paper towels and strain all the fat from the pan.Do not clean the saucepan but return it to the stove and add the butter, flour, black pepper, salt & garlic. Cook together for 1 to 2 minutes until foamy. Whisking constantly, slowly pour in scalded milk. Continue to cook for 2 more minutes stirring constantly. Stir in the mustard. Grate the cheeses and blend them together. Butter an 8-10 cup casserole dish. Place ⅓ of the pasta in the bottom of the dish. Pour on ⅓ the sauce. Scatter half the bacon over the surface. Sprinkle ⅓ of the cheese over the bacon layer. Repeat the layers ending with cheese on the top. Sprinkle on the crumb topping FOR THE TOPPING Mix together the crumbs, butter and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the top. Cover the casserole dish and bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook for 15 minutes longer. If you double this recipe, add additional baking time for larger casserole dish. ROASTED TOMATOES AND ONIONS In a baking dish toss together all of the ingredients. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes to half an hour tossing once during the cooking time. When fully cooked, you can toss in some freshly chopped basil or other fresh herb of your choice if you like.