Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese

there are a few things about super bowl sunday that i should preface this post with

1. i dont care even a little bit about either of the teams that played this year

2. super bowl sunday should consist of beer, friends, 

sweatpants, naps, good food, and a warm fire

3. i firmly believe that calories dont count on a day like today

these are the reasons i spent a few solid hours in the kitchen today

while my dad cooked up some bacon wrapped shrimp 

and spicy italian sausage stuffed pepperdos, I made cheeseburger mac & cheese

ingredients
5 slices thick-cut bacon

1/4 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¼ cup all-purpose flour
One 14-ounce can vegetable broth
3 cups milk
1 1/2 tablespoon good-quality chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
4 cups (1 pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups dried elbow macaroni, cooked 

cut the bacon and cook in a dutch oven over medium heat until crisp

remove to paper towels & drain




 add the onion, cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

add the garlic and continue cooking until onion is soft and lightly browned
add the flour and mix well. cook for 2 minutes

add the broth and bring to a simmer, stirring often
add the milk, chili powder, pepper, and mustard

return the soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally, cook for 3 minutes

add the cheese and bacon, cook about 4 minutes




stir in macaroni and return to a simmer