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Bacon, Kale and Tomato Mac and Cheese

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  • Prep 25 min
  • Total 60 min
  • Servings 6
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By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Mar 10, 2015
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Ingredients

Casserole

  • 5 slices bacon
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded white sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (6 oz)
  • 1 cup finely chopped fresh kale or spinach, stems removed (about 7 oz)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained

Topping

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup plain panko crispy bread crumbs

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Arrange bacon between sheets of microwavable paper towels on microwavable dinner plate. Microwave on High 3 to 4 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Cool; crumble.
  • 2
    In 3-quart saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over low heat. Stir in flour, mustard, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute. Stir in cheese, 1/2 cup at a time, until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in uncooked macaroni. Gently stir in kale, tomatoes and bacon; pour into casserole.
  • 3
    Bake uncovered 15 minutes; stir. (If any macaroni is sticking up above surface, press down with back of spoon.) Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, microwave 1 tablespoon butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in bread crumbs.
  • 4
    Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture. Bake 12 to 17 minutes longer or until macaroni is tender when pierced with fork and topping is light golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    We prefer hand-shredded cheese for this recipe because the coating on pre-shredded cheese causes the baked casserole sauce to not be quite as smooth—but in a time crunch, pre-shredded cheese will be just fine!

Nutrition

540 Calories, 29g Total Fat, 23g Protein, 47g Total Carbohydrate, 7g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
540
Calories from Fat
260
Total Fat
29g
45%
Saturated Fat
17g
83%
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
80mg
27%
Sodium
830mg
35%
Potassium
340mg
10%
Total Carbohydrate
47g
16%
Dietary Fiber
2g
10%
Sugars
7g
Protein
23g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
60%
60%
Vitamin C
10%
10%
Calcium
40%
40%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
3 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 3 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
3
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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