BLT Macaroni and Cheese

8 ounces macaroni
1 head romaine lettuce, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
6 strips bacon, thinly sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup Herbed Breadcrumbs, recipe follows:
Herbed Breadcrumbs:
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.  Toss the lettuce with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet until the lettuce is wilted, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool, but leave the oven on. In a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, render the bacon with the canola oil until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving 3 tablespoons of fat in the pan. Add the flour and cook over medium heat until the flour begins to smell slightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add a small amount of the milk to the flour and whisk until smooth. Add the remaining milk in stages to avoid lumps. Heat until the mixture simmers, and then turn off the heat.

Add the Cheddar and Gruyere to the pan, followed by the nutmeg and drained macaroni. Fold until the macaroni is evenly coated, then add the lettuce, tomatoes and bacon.
Spread the mixture in a 2-quart baking dish and top with the Herbed Breadcrumbs. Cook until the top is golden, about 35 minutes.  Herbed Breadcrumbs: Combine the panko, butter, parsley and thyme in a medium bowl and mix together.  Yield: About 2 1/4 cups.

 From: FoodNetwork.com

 

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