Bacon Blue Cheese Burger Mac and Cheese

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. bacon
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3.5 cups milk
• 24 oz. shredded cheese (Jack, cheddar, provolone mix)
• 6 oz. blue cheese, divided
• 1 lb. macaroni pasta, cooked al dente

Directions

1. Brown the beef in a skillet.  Drain the fat and set the beef aside.
2. Cool the bacon in a skillet.  Drain the fat and crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces.  Set aside.
3. Melt the butter.  Saute the onion until softened, and then add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Whisk in the flour to make a roux, and then add the milk and bring to a simmer.
5. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.  Then add the shredded cheese and 4 oz. of blue cheese, stirring until mixed.
6. Stir the ground beef, bacon, and prepared noodles into the cheese.  Spread into a Dutch oven and sprinkle remaining blue cheese over the top.
7. Bake at 425°F for 45 minutes.
8. Let stand for 5-10 minutes and then serve.

Adapted from The Food in my Beard.