Description
This BLT Mac ‘n’ Cheese is a comforting and flavorful twist on traditional mac and cheese. Combining creamy cheddar and cream cheese, crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a hint of turmeric for subtle warmth, it’s baked to perfection for a satisfying meal. Served with a fresh side salad, this dish makes a delightful dinner that’s ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon (vegetarian or real)
- 12 oz fusilli pasta
- 2 1/4 cups milk
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded orange cheddar cheese
- 6 oz cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Side
- Your favorite lettuce for side salad (such as salad bowl plant)
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Bacon: Preheat the oven to 374°F. Cook the bacon slices in a skillet if using real bacon, or heat the vegetarian bacon in the microwave until crisp. Once cooked, cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Quarter the cherry tomatoes and set them aside for later incorporation.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook until almost al dente, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Heat Milk and Season: In the same pot used for pasta, bring the milk to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the turmeric for color and a subtle flavor, and add a pinch of black pepper to season.
- Add Cream Cheese: Stir the cream cheese into the simmering milk until it’s fully melted and smooth, creating a creamy base.
- Melt Cheddar Cheese: Gradually stir in the shredded orange cheddar cheese until completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the drained pasta to the cheese sauce pot. Add the cooked bacon pieces and quartered cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing everything until well combined.
- Bake: Transfer the mac ’n’ cheese mixture to a 9-by-13 inch casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and slightly bubbly on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot alongside a fresh lettuce side salad. Enjoy your BLT Mac ‘n’ Cheese!
Notes
- You can substitute vegetarian bacon for a plant-based option or real bacon for a richer flavor.
- Turmeric adds a nice color and subtle earthy flavor but can be adjusted to preference.
- Using a casserole dish helps the dish heat evenly and develop a nice baked texture.
- Adding fresh tomatoes after baking could make the dish more vibrant if preferred.
- For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of pasta water to the cheese sauce before baking.
