One-Pot Smoky Bacon Mac and Cheese

Name: One-Pot Smoky Bacon Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips; 12 oz uncooked penne pasta (3 1/2 cups); 3 cups Progresso™ reduced sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz container); 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk; 3 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese (12 oz); 2 cups slightly packed baby spinach; 1/4 cup sliced green onions

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Prep 40 min
Total 40 min
Servings 6

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Everybody’s favorite childhood dish is all grown up. Our adult-version of mac and cheese has everything you could ever want out of a pasta dish. It’s smooth and creamy with a touch of smokiness, thanks to the Gouda and bacon, and it’s ready in just 40 minutes. It’s almost too Gouda to be true—sorry, we had to.

by: Tablespoon Kitchens

Updated Jun 27, 2019

Ingredients

8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
12 oz uncooked penne pasta (3 1/2 cups)
3 cups Progresso™ reduced sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz container)
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
3 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese (12 oz)
2 cups slightly packed baby spinach
1/4 cup sliced green onions

Steps

1

Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Discard fat.
2

Add pasta and broth to skillet over medium-high heat; heat to simmering. Cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring frequently, until broth is nearly absorbed, and pasta is al dente.
3

Add milk; heat to boiling. Stir in cheese; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and liquid is reduced to a creamy sauce.
4

Stir in bacon and spinach; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Top with green onions.

Expert Tips

tip 1
Use freshly shredded cheese for the creamiest texture when melted.
tip 2
The pasta in this recipe has extra flavor because broth is used instead of water and absorbed by the pasta during cooking.

Nutrition Information

560 Calories, 22g Total Fat, 31g Protein, 59g Total Carbohydrate, 6g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 1/8 Cups

Calories: 560

Calories from Fat: 200

Total Fat: 22g; 34%

Saturated Fat: 12g; 61%

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 75mg; 25%

Sodium: 960mg; 40%

Potassium: 430mg; 12%

Total Carbohydrate: 59g; 20%

Dietary Fiber: 3g; 13%

Sugars: 6g

Protein: 31g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 30%; 30%

Vitamin C: 10%; 10%

Calcium: 60%; 60%

Iron: 15%; 15%

Exchanges:

4 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choice

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.