Mac and Cheese with Bacon Topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F

2. Cook Ground Bacon in a skillet. Brown until bacon turns into bacon bits. Separate from fat (reserve this "liquid gold "for another use) and set aside.
   

3. Pulse bread and 2 tablespoons cold butter in food processor until consistency of bread crumbs.
4. Salt and boil 4 quarts water in a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot. We like to make the water salty, like the sea, to give the macaroni flavor, but salt to your preference
5. Once water is boiling, add macaroni and cook until al-dente. Drain and set aside.
6. Melt 5 tablespoons butter in the empty pot. Slowly whisk in the flour, mustard, cayenne and salt. Slowly whisk in the milk until the consistency is smooth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook until it’s thick, like heavy cream, about 5 minutes.
7. Remove pot from heat and whisk in all the cheese until it’s completely melted.
8. Stir in the macaroni and cook until it's hot again.

9. Pour the entire mixture into a 13 x 9-inch broiler safe baking dish. Sprinkle the top with cooked Ground Bacon and bread crumb mixture and bake for another 3-5 minutes at 400°F.

10. Remove, let sit a few minutes and then enjoy!