Muenster Mac with Apples and Bacon

There are lots of great recipes for mac and cheese with apples and bacon, I got a great deal on a huge package of Muenster so I decided to give that a go.  I also needed something to try out my new food processor attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer so shredding cheese and dicing apples was perfect!







16oz pasta, cooked al dente
1 large granny smith apples, chopped*

Sauce:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup sweet onion, chopped
1 clove garlic minced
4-6 TB flour OR 3-4 TB cornstarch**
2 1/2 cups skim milk
8 oz Muenster, shredded
salt and pepper to taste


Topping:
4-6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked crisp and diced, reserve 1 TB bacon fat
1/2-1 cup bread crumbs
1/4-1/2 cup shredded Parmesan

* I dip my chopped apples in a bowl of water mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice, to prevent browning.










Preheat oven to 350

While your pasta and bacon is cooking start the sauce

Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add onion and garlic and cook until tender and fragrant.









Add flour(less for thinner sauce, more for thicker) directly to the butter **If you are using starch, whisk it into the cold milk.

Add milk to the butter mixture, stir and cook until thick.







Add cheese and stir until fully melted

Remove from heat and add salt/pepper to taste.











In a greased 9 x 13 pan combine pasta, apples and sauce, toss gently.











Combine bread crumbs with reserved bacon fat, toss together well











Sprinkle bread crumbs, bacon pieces and Parmesan over the top of the pasta.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.









Uncover and bake 15 minutes more until hot and bubbly.