#3270 - Three Cheese Macaroni

(by Shirley McNevich)

16oz. raw elbow macaroni
6 slices bacon (more if you wish)
3 TBSP butter + 1 TBSP butter
1/2 cup chopped onions (optional)
3 TBSP flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Provolone cheese
1/3 cup  + 1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese
2/3 cup panko bread crumbs

Cook the bacon and set aside. Cook and drain elbow macaroni in salted water according to box directions--drain but DO NOT rinse. In a saucepan over medium heat add 3 TBSP butter--melt. Add chopped onions--cook/stir until tender. Add flour, salt and fresh ground pepper while stirring--stir to mix. Slowly add milk while stirring--cook/stir until smooth. Add shredded cheddar cheese, shredded Provolone cheese, and 1/3 cup shredded Asiago cheese--cook/stir until melted into a cheese sauce. In a large bowl add drained macaroni and cheese sauce--stir to mix. Crumble the bacon and add to the macaroni--stir until mixed. Spoon the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Melt the 1 TBSP of butter. In a bowl add melted butter, all of the panko bread crumbs and 1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese--stir to mix. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture all over the top of the macaroni mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until top is well browned and heated through. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.