Gardner Grub - Bacon Macaroni & Cheddar Cheese

Comfort food at its best. Enough said.

{Bacon Macaroni & Cheese}

3 cups elbow macaroni

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

2 cups 2% milk

4 oz. Philadelphia Chive & Onion Cream Cheese
4 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
4 oz. Velveeta Cheese
1 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar
8 bacon strips, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup Panko
3 Tbsp butter, melted

Heat oven to 350.
Cook macaroni according to the package.
In a large saucepan melt the 1/4 cup of butter, stir in the flour and gradually add milk. Bring to a boil and stir for a couple of minutes until thickened. Stir in the cheeses, bacon and salt & pepper.
Add the macaroni and stir until mixed. Transfer to a greased 8 inch square baking dish.
Combine panko with 3 Tbsp melted butter and sprinkle over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Enjoy!

**Side note - You can use the entire 8 oz of Chive & Onion cream cheese and omit the regular cream cheese or vice versa. I like this combination the best. And I usually end up making more of the panko mixture because I like a lot of crunch on the top.