Mac Daddy Mac n' Cheese

Ingredients

• 3 pieces bacon diced cooked
• 2 tablespoons butter melted
• 1 pound penne pasta cooked
• 2 tablespoons flour 
• 2 tablespoons parsley fresh chopped
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves fresh chopped
• 3 cloves garlic 
• 4 cups heavy cream 
• 1 teaspoon olive oil 
• 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs 
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese shredded
• 8 servings salt and pepper black freshly ground
• 2  shallots peeled
• 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• whisk
• casserole dish
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place shallots and garlic in a small aluminum foil pouch and drizzle with olive oil. Roast 20 to 30 minutes or until tender.
3. Remove from foil and chop. In a large saute pan, reheat reserved bacon fat over medium heat.
4. Add roasted shallot and garlic and saute for 1 minute.
5. Add flour and stir for 1 minute.
6. Whisk in heavy cream and thyme. Reduce by a third. Stir in cheeses until melted, creamy and thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Remove from heat and gently stir in pasta.
8. Place in a 9X13 casserole dish. In a small bowl, mix together diced bacon, bread crumbs, butter and parsley. Top Mac n Cheese with Panko mixture and bake uncovered at same heat until bubbling and lightly browned on top, 20 to 25 minutes.