She Strengthens

Elevate Your Brunch Game with Crispy Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese Bites

When it comes to brunch, you want dishes that are both impressive and indulgent. That’s where these crispy bacon mac ‘n’ cheese bites come in – a game-changing twist on a comfort food classic.

The Perfect Combination of Flavors and Textures

Bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor to even the most decadent dishes, and when paired with creamy macaroni and cheese, it’s a match made in heaven. Add in some sautéed mushrooms for an earthy depth of flavor, and you’ve got a dish that’s sure to impress.

A Recipe Fit for a Crowd

These individual bites are perfect for a brunch buffet or as a side dish for a special occasion. With a yield of 12 bites, you can easily feed a crowd without breaking a sweat.

Ingredients:

• 3 slices of applewood-smoked bacon, chopped
• 1 heaping cup of sliced cremini or button mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
• 1 cup of dried whole-wheat macaroni or other small pasta shape
• 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of whole milk, warmed
• 1 cup of shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Cooking spray, for coating the muffin pan

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Muffin Pan and Cook the Bacon

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp, stirring occasionally. Transfer the cooked bacon to paper towels to drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of the fat in the pan.

Sauté the Mushrooms and Cook the Pasta

Add the sliced mushrooms to the reserved bacon fat and cook, stirring, until tender. Set aside. Bring a large saucepan filled with water to a boil over high heat. Add the salt and pasta, reducing the heat to medium, and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes or according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Make the Cheese Sauce

In the same saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly add the milk while whisking constantly, until smooth. Continuing to whisk, slowly add the cheeses until smooth.

Assemble and Bake the Bites

Add the reserved macaroni, bacon, and mushrooms to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the egg and mix well. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared muffin wells, dividing it evenly and filling the wells. Bake the bites until they’re crisp and browned around the edges and bubbling, about 10 minutes.

Serve and Store

Allow the bites to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing (use a small knife to help dislodge them if necessary). Refrigerate the bites in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or seal them in a single layer in a zippered plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months.