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Bacon and Brussels Sprout Mac and Cheese

Bacon and Brussels Sprout Mac and Cheese
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
55 min
Yields
6 servings

This dish is versatile and serves 6 as a tasty main or 10 to 12 as a scrumptious side.

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ingredients

4
cups Brussels sprouts, on the larger side, or 1 large stalk
salt
1
Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4
oz centre-cut bacon or pancetta, chopped
3
Tbsp butter
3
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
1
onion, chopped
freshly ground black pepper
3
Tbsp flour
½
cup dry white wine
1
cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
1
cup chicken stock
3
cups whole milk
nutmeg, freshly grated
1
lb(s) cavatappi (hollow short curls of pasta with lines) or penne
1
cup white sharp Cheddar, shredded
1
cup Gruyere, shredded
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directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. With a sharp paring knife, core the Brussels sprouts and separate the leaves; place in a large bowl.

Step 2

Heat a large pot of water to boil and salt the water. Parboil the leaves to tender crisp, 2 minutes. Remove with a spider, drain and cool. Dry the leaves on a kitchen towel.

Step 3

Add more water to fill the pot back up for the pasta, return to a boil. Heat a saucepot over medium heat; add the EVOO and brown the bacon. Remove and drain.

Step 4

Pour off most of the drippings, then add the butter and melt. Add the garlic and onions, stir 5 minutes. Add a little salt and pepper, then stir in the flour for 1 minute.

Step 5

Whisk in the wine to deglaze the saucepot. Whisk in the stock and then the milk. Season with a little bit of nutmeg. Thicken the sauce to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low. Boil the pasta to just shy of al dente, 5 to 6 minutes, drain. Stir two-thirds each of the Cheddar, Gruyere and Parmigiano-Reggiano into the sauce in a figure-eight motion.

Step 7

Drain the pasta, then toss with the Brussels sprouts, bacon and sauce, and pour into a baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal, or bake to serve. Place into the oven and bake until heated through and bubbly and brown on top.

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