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+ servings
Bacon, Tomato and Green Pea Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 
This classic macaroni and cheese recipe adds bacon, tomatoes and green peas for a pop of color and some delicious flavors too.
Course: Entrées, Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pasta, Lunch
Servings: 8
Calories: 843 kcal
Author: The Blue Jean Chef, Meredith Laurence
Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried pasta
  • cups green peas frozen
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved (about 2 cups)
  • Cheese Sauce:
  • 6 slices bacon chopped (1-inch pieces)
  • 1 small onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 6 tablespoons flour
  • 2 teaspoons dried mustard powder
  • 4 cups milk room temperature
  • 3 cups grated Swiss cheese preferably Gruyere
  • 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons salt freshly ground black pepper
  • Topping:
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs preferably coarse homemade crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves rough chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoons salt
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 ̊F.
  2. Heat a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, adding the green peas to the pot for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. In the meantime, heat a 2- to 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook to render out the fat – about 6 to 8 minutes. When the bacon is almost crispy, remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Add the onion to the pan and cook until translucent and very tender, but not brown. Add the flour and mustard powder and stir, cooking for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Stirring regularly, bring the sauce to a boil. Once it has boiled and thickened, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated cheeses, salt and pepper.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and peas, cooked bacon, cherry tomatoes and cheese sauce. Fold everything together and transfer to a casserole or baking dish. Combine the topping ingredients and spread the mixture on top of the pasta. Cook in a 350 ̊F oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Bacon, Tomato and Green Pea Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 843 Calories from Fat 333
% Daily Value*
Fat 37g57%
Saturated Fat 20g100%
Cholesterol 101mg34%
Sodium 1542mg64%
Potassium 668mg19%
Carbohydrates 83g28%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 42g84%
Vitamin A 1490IU30%
Vitamin C 26.8mg32%
Calcium 882mg88%
Iron 3.8mg21%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.