Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your ordinary mac and cheese experience into an extraordinary gastronomic adventure! This isn't just another pasta dish - it's a decadent symphony of crispy bacon, creamy fontina cheese, and vibrant spinach that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to the ultimate comfort meal, these gourmet shells and cheese are about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz large pasta shells
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups fontina cheese, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter or cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add large pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble into small pieces once cooled.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, quickly sauté fresh spinach until just wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, shredded fontina cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly until cheese is completely melted and sauce is smooth.
- Gently fold cooked pasta shells, crumbled bacon, and wilted spinach into the cheese sauce, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top for a crispy texture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional cracked black pepper if desired.
Tips
- Choose High-Quality Ingredients: Use freshly shredded fontina cheese for the smoothest, most luxurious sauce. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting.
- Don't Overcook the Pasta: Cook shells just until al dente, as they'll continue cooking in the oven. Overcooked pasta can become mushy.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Keep a little pasta water on hand in case you need to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Crisp Your Bacon Perfectly: Cook bacon until it's truly crisp for maximum flavor and texture contrast.
- Layer Flavors: Sautéing spinach in bacon drippings adds an extra depth of flavor to the dish.
- Watch the Breadcrumb Topping: Keep an eye on the breadcrumbs while baking to prevent burning. They should be golden brown, not dark.
- Let It Rest: Allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes after baking to help the sauce set and make serving easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 800kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 43g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 125mg
