CHRISTMAS MAC AND CHEESE

CHRISTMAS MAC AND CHEESE image

Number Of Ingredients 18

Salt, as needed
6 strips of bacon (reserve 1 tbs of fat)
1 pound elbow macaroni
6 eggs
1 cup Velveeta
1 stick of butter, softened
2 cups half-and-half
3 cups of heavy cream
2 cups grated sharp yellow Cheddar, plus 1 cup
1 cups grated extra-sharp white Cheddar
1 package mascarpone
1/2 cup grated fontina cheese
1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese
1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese
1/2 cup grated monterey jack cheese
1 cup grated Muenster cheese
pinch of seasoning salt
1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large saucepan bring all of the heavy cream and one cup of half and half to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until slightly al dente, about 10 minutes. Set aside. Do not drain. Cook bacon and save one tablespoon of the fat. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Combine the Velveeta, butter, and the remaining half-and-half in a large bowl. Add the warm macaroni mixture, tossing until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the 2 cups of sharp yellow cheddar cheese, the remaining grated cheeses, bacon fat, and seasoning salt and pepper, tossing until completely combined. Pour mixture into a casserole dish, and bake for 30 minutes. Top with remaining cheddar cheese, crushed cheese crackers and crumbled bacon and place under broiler until golden brown. Serve hot.