Maclaren's Imperial Cheese and Macaroni

Name: Maclaren's Imperial Cheese and Macaroni
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4-6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked; 6 slices lean bacon, sliced into small pieces; 2 cups button mushrooms, quartered; 4 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons flour; 1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk; 1 (385 ml) can 2% evaporated milk; 1 teaspoon minced dried garlic; 2 tablespoons minced dried onion; 1 teaspoon mustard powder; salt & pepper, to taste; 0.5 (250 g) container maclaren's cheese, crumbled; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Submitted by Lori Mama

"I purchased some Maclaren's Imperial Cheese at Costco, which was a super deal, not really knowing what to do with it. I searched the Kraft site for some recipes, but they didn't really have much I wanted to try that was for everyday use. I set out to try my hand at something myself and I hope you like it. My husband, who loves mac 'n cheese, really did."

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photo by Outta Here

Ready In:: 45mins
Ingredients:: 14
Serves:: 4-6

ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
6 slices lean bacon, sliced into small pieces
2 cups button mushrooms, quartered
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 ¹⁄₂ cups 1% low-fat milk
1 (385 ml) can 2% evaporated milk
1 teaspoon minced dried garlic
2 tablespoons minced dried onion
1 teaspoon mustard powder
salt & pepper, to taste
0.5 (250 g) container maclaren's cheese, crumbled
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted

directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 3 quart dutch oven, or equivalent with non stick spray and set aside.
In a medium sized pot, over medium high heat,.
fry bacon until just crisp.
Drain on paper towel.
Set aside.
Saute the mushrooms in the remaining bacon drippings until tender.
Remove and set aside.
Add the butter to the pot and melt.
Stir in the garlic and onion.
Add the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Do not brown.
Heat the milk in the microwave on high until hot.
approximately 3 minutes.
Pour in the milk and whisk smooth.
Cook until it starts to thicken.
Add the cheese, mustard powder, salt & pepper to taste.
Mix until melted.
Combine the cooked macaroni, bacon, mushrooms and sauce.
Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
Toss together the butter and crumbs and sprinkle on top.
Bake 30 minutes or until bubbling.

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Reviews

This takes comfort food to new heights! Loved the bacon and mushrooms in this, and the topping, which I wouldn't have thought of on mac and cheese. I subbed Kaukauna sharp cheese spread for the MacLaren's, which isn't available here. Thanks, Lori, for a great take on Mac n' Cheese!

Outta Here
Made this for our "Saturday Lunch at the Farm" on Saturday. I pulled out a bit for me to try, and also for Dennis as he was standing right over my shoulder. Yum! I thought the mushrooms in this dish were just perfect! A great taste to balance the bacon and the garlic and coupled perfectly with the cheese. I did not have Maclaren's cheese though :( so I used some freshly grated sharp cheese instead. I didn't use the full amount of butter, as I just simply forgot to, and it was absolutely perfect the way it was. The panko on top is a wonderful addition, and will make this again. This is a great dish, especially since we are going to be working hard all day! Thank you for posting this...:) Made for *PAC* Spring 2009.

Andi Longmeadow Farm