2772. MACARONI and CHEESE PIE with a BACON CRUST

1 3/4 pounds bacon
8 ounces uncooked cellentani (corkscrew-shaped) macaroni
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded sharp colby jack cheese
1/2 cup (about 1 ounce) grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch fresh basil, chopped


Take 1 pound of bacon and tightly weave it into a square, alternating over and under with the strips of bacon, that is roughly the size of your pie tin. Flip the bacon weave into your pie tin and press down, conforming the bacon to the shape of the tin. Place another pie tin on top of the bacon and press down firmly. This will help your bacon pie crust keep its shape while cooking. Create another bacon weave using the remaining 3/4 pound of bacon. This will be the lattice top for the pie, so with this one you’ll want to leave some space in between the slices of bacon. Place the bacon pie crust and lattice top on separate baking sheets and cook at 400°F for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to the package directions, drain it and set aside. In a saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat and stir in the flour. Add milk to the mix slowly while stirring constantly. Stir in the cheeses and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is slightly thick. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown. When the bacon is done cooking remove the second pie tin from the top of the crust and let it cool for a few minutes. (Pat the bacon gently with paper towel to absorb any excess grease.) Spoon the macaroni mixture into your bacon pie crust and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle with nutmeg and basil leaves. Cover your pie with the bacon lattice top and cook at 400°F for 15 minutes. Once your pie is done cooking let it cool and then dig in and enjoy!


bacon recipe courtesy of: Nick, DudeFoods.com | 30 Days 30 Ways with Macaroni & Cheese, Wisconsin Cheese/Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, 8418 Excelsior Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53717