"Sin-less" mac & cheese

Today I was a lucky girl, yet again. I got another addition to the Le Creuset collection....a GORGEOUS red rectangular baking dish!!! Of course, I had to break her in! :) I introduce you to the lucky 1st recipe!

The Mac
1 box of medium shells or elbow macaroni
8 slices of deli bacon (not the packaged crap)
1 3/4 cup milk
2 tbsp fat free butter squeeze (you can definitely sub real butter)
2 tbsp flour
1 pkg (8oz) 2% sharp cheddar (you can sub extra sharp cheddar)
3 ounces of fresh grated Gruyere
2 ounces of stinky blue cheese
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
dash nutmeg
fresh ground salt
olive oil
fresh ground red pepper flakes

The crust
1 small white bread roll - preferably an herb infused one
4 large fresh basil leaves - torn into 4

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Drizzle olive oil into a le Creuset (tee hee) of boiling salted water. Add the pasta of choice and cook as directed on the packaging.

Prepare the bacon as desired. I like to throw them onto a slow cooked skillet so they cook evenly and char just right. Remove from cooking source and squeeze oil out.

For the crust..you can do this a few ways:
1. place bread into a food processor and chop till teensy. Add basil and chop until basil is finely chopped.
2. chop bread with a knife. Chop basil finely. Place in a zip lock and shake.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small sauce pan, but do NOT boil. Place the "butter" into another sauce pan and let heat. Add flour and let heat for a few minutes. Add in milk, stirring vigorously. Turn heat to off and add in all cheeses. Fold together to avoid clumping and splashing. Add the nutmeg, fresh ground red pepper flakes (as desired) and pepper. Add in bacon and ensure ms. piggy is coated well. Slowly add in macaroni and stir gently until evenly coated. Pour entire mixture into an oven safe baking dish. Top evenly with the fabulous crust mix. Feel free to add a few more turns of fresh cracked pepper on top.

Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, or until bubbly and yummy! Enjoy!!! :) :)