Longhorn Steakhouse bacon mac

So we went to family dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse and on the menu as a side was this bacon macaroni cheese and I knew I knew it I knew I wanted it I had to have it so I got it and it was definitely the star of my plate but it came in like a 2 inch ramekin and it cost $3. I wanted more but there was no way I was going to pay three more dollars to eat another 2 inches of bacon macaroni and cheese. So I knew I had to re-create myself.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cavatappi pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups cream
• 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 3 ounces white Cheddar, shredded
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese , shredded
• 4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 4 pieces bacon cooked crispy and crumbled
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

Prepare pasta according to packaged directions. Heat together in a large saucepan 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour over medium heat. Cook until the roux becomes fragrant. Add 1/2 cup of cream and stir until sauce thickens. Add an additional 1/2 cup of cream when the sauce thickens, and then add final 1 cup of cream and stir until the sauce becomes thick.

Add cheeses to sauce slowly stirring until the cheese is blended. Spinkle in smoked paprika. Mix together pasta and sauce, and pour into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Top macaroni and cheese with crumbled bacon and panko bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until panko breadcrumbs are brown. 

***adapted from copykat.com***