Mac and Cheese With Peas and Bacon

Marie in NYC's Note:

This is an easy three cheese mac and cheese recipe. I've always liked peas and bacon with mac and cheese so I added those to my recipe. I used whole wheat pasta to make it heartier and also so I could feel like it was healthier!

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 12 ounces whole wheat macaroni
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 pint heavy cream
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 10 ounces frozen peas
• 2 slices bacon
• 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
• salt
• italian seasoning
• fresh black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil on the stove top. Cook macaroni until al dente, following package directions.
3. While the pasta cooks, melt butter in large microwavable mixing bowl. When pasta is done, drain and pour into the bowl, mixing to coat with butter.
4. Stir in heavy cream and cheeses. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste. (I used about 6 turns of the pepper mill, 6 shakes of Italian seasoning, and just a pinch of salt.) Stir thoroughly. Add frozen peas and stir again.
5. In frying pan over low to medium heat, cook two pieces of bacon. As the bacon gets close to being crisped, add the garlic cloves and cook until they are clear. Drain bacon and garlic on paper towels.
6. Pour the macaroni mixture into an 8x8 baking pan. Break the bacon into bits. Sprinkle the bacon and garlic over the top of the macaroni mixture.
7. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is crispy.