A basic recipe for Stovetop Mac and Cheese that can be flavored a thousand different ways. This one is studded with caramelized onions, mushrooms, bacon and peas. It's a great 30-minute meal that you can make quickly when you don't have that much time to spare.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dinner, Mac and Cheese, Pasta
Servings: 6
Author: Jonathan Melendez
Ingredients
4slicesbacondiced
2large onionsthinly sliced
1poundcremini mushroomssliced
2tablespoonsunsalted butter
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
2cupswhole milk
Kosher salt and coarse black pepper
1/2teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspoononion garlic
1/2teaspoonmustard powder
1/4teaspooncayenne pepper
1cupshredded Cheddar cheese
1/2cupshredded Gruyere cheese
1/2cupshredded Mozzarella cheese
1poundelbow or orecchiette noodles
1cupfrozen peasthawed
Instructions
Set a large pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels.
Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the grease from the pot. Add in the sliced onions and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, stirring often, until deeply golden brown and caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and cook until browned, another 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the onions and mushrooms onto a plate and set aside.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of cold water to a boil. Season with salt and add in the pasta. Cook according to the package directions, until al dente.
Add the butter to the pot, once melted whisk in the flour, cooking for about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened. Season with a bit of salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder and cayenne. Lower the flame and stir in the cheeses until melted through. Add in the drained pasta, bacon, onions, mushrooms, and peas and stir until evenly incorporated. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, adding more salt or pepper as needed. Serve immediately. Enjoy!