Bachelor's Mac & Cheese

Mac & Cheese

     Everyone loves Mac & Cheese. What can you say about the most simplest and delicious easy side dish that is out there?  We all have our favorite, whether it is baked with a crunchy crust, cooked on the stove top and very creamy, or even the well known "blue box" store brought brand that seems to come with that mysterious orange powder, (I have to admit, I love that one).

     I have had a lot of trouble finding the best homemade Mac & Cheese.  I have tried making it by building the flavors with a homemade rue of flour, butter, and milk.  I have tried multiple types of cheeses to assist in building the flavors.  I have also tried the baked kind but have fell short of something that wasn't creamy or crunchy but a bland combination of a mixture of pasta and what was supposed to be cheese.  It was then that I found myself saying, "Shouldn’t this dish be as simple as its name implies? Why am I trying to make it so fancy? Stick to what I like and just keep it simple". 

     So here is the result.  The perfect quick Mac & Cheese that any person can whip up in a flash.  Perfect for the single guy who lives alone, doesn't want to clean, doesn't want the hassle of cooking a whole meal, especially if the sink is already piled high with pots and pans.  This two pot meal only has 3 steps and only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.  The dish only requires 3 main ingredients: pasta, bacon, and cheese.  I used 3 kinds of cheese that I happened to have in my fridge.  Most single guys have at least 2 of these.  Every fridge contains American cheese singles, especially the bachelor who makes a lot of grilled cheeses.  And what guy doesn't love Pepper jack cheese.  Add in another small handful, some milk to make it creamy, and some crumbled bacon and "Ta Da!" there you have it, a quick, easy, and perfect Bachelor's Mac & Cheese. This quick recipe only makes enough for two decent sized servings.  But you can full around with it to make more.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices bacon
• 2 cups rotini pasta
• 1 oz Pepper Jack cheese
• 3 slices American cheese
• 1 small handful Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt/pepper

     In a skillet quickly cook your two slices of bacon until crisp.  Remove and drain on paper towel lined plate.  Crumble up once cooled.  In a small pot boil your pasta until cooked just perfectly.  Meanwhile cut up your cheeses if not already shredded.  Drain your pasta when done and in same pot toss in the cheeses and milk.  Gently mix up over low heat until the cheeses have melted and the pasta is now creamy.  Toss in your bacon and serve.  Nothing says “Bachelor” more than a small bowl of Mac & Cheese.  The perfect one bowl meal for that single guy in your life.