It's official...three of the most delicious foods known to man have come together to bring you the pinnacle of flavor and delight. Bacon, Mac 'n Cheese, and Gnocchi unite for a mealtime experience that will ignite your senses and render you speechless (as you stuff your mouth with seconds). Wipe off your drool, give in to your growling stomach, and enjoy this surprisingly easy meal. This recipe came from The Cutting Edge of Ordinary, with a few modifications by yours truly.
{Gnocchi Mac 'n Cheese with Bacon}
Ingredients:
2 pounds gnocchi (found in the pasta aisle)
4 Tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped
2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese
Salt and white pepper to taste
8 strips of bacon (at least!)
2/3 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
A few basil leaves, diced and separated into two parts
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray an oven-safe baking dish (8x8 or 13x9 both fine) with nonstick spray.
2. Prepare gnocchi according to package directions. After cooked and drained, mix gnocchi with salt, pepper, and half the basil, and place in prepared baking dish.
3. Cook bacon in frying pan until cooked. When cooled, crumble into pieces and set aside.
4. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in flour until it thickens and bubbles, then whisk in milk and Dijon. Continue to whisk mixture and cook until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Combine Gruyere and fontina, then add by the handful to milk mixture, stirring until melted before adding the next handful. Once all cheese is melted, mix in bacon crumbles, salt, pepper, and remaining basil leaves.
6. Pour sauce over gnocchi and sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano over top. Bake gnocchi until they puff and the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Let gnocchi rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Lovely photos taken by Lisa of The Cutting Edge of Ordinary
