Aria's Mac n' Cheese

Ingredients

• 0.5 pound bacon 
• 8 ounces cream cheese 
• 2 bags eggs noodles 
• 5 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 8 ounces goat cheese 
• 1 pint half-and-half 
• 2  jalapeños with seeds) chopped
• 12 servings kosher salt 
• 12 ounces monterrey jack cheese grated
• 1 small onion chopped
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 2 tablespoons butter unsalted melted
• 5 tablespoons butter unsalted
• 1 quart milk whole

Equipment

• frying pan
• baking sheet
• oven
• whisk
• pot
• baking pan

Directions

1. Special equipment: 9 by 13-inch baking dish or 2 smaller baking dishes
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente, cooked, but with a little bite to them.
4. Drain well, and set aside.
5. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat and saute the onion and jalapenos. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 6 minutes.
6. Pour in the milk and half-and-half and whisk until the mixture thickens, about 4 to 5 minutes.
7. Add in the Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and goat cheese and whisk until all the cheese is melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the cooked noodles.
8. Pour the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch baking dish or 2 smaller baking dishes and set aside.
9. On a baking sheet, blend together the panko, melted butter and salt and spread the mixture out into an even layer on the pan.
10. Bake in the oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Watch it so it doesn't burn.
11. On another baking sheet, lay out the strips of bacon and bake them for 15 minutes, or until crispy.
12. Bake the mac 'n' cheese for 15 minutes, or until bubbling.
13. Remove from the oven and top with the toasted panko and then the bacon.
14. Serve hot.