Pepper Bacon Mac and Cheese – Epcot Food and Wine Festival

by | Mar 7, 2018 | Dining Plan, Epcot, Epcot Festivals, Food, recipe, Traveling, Walt Disney World

It’s early to be dreaming of the food at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, however, the Pepper Bacon Mac and Cheese is on my mind today. I booked my stay for Food and Wine Festival this week, so that could play a part.

Although the Pepper Bacon Mac and Cheese were featured for the past few years, we haven’t heard the lineup for this year yet. So to hold me over I thought it would be fun to post the Pepper Bacon Mac and Cheese recipe.

 

Pepper Bacon Mac and cheese

Pepper Bacon Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Pepper Bacon Macaroni
  • 1 pound macaroni
  • 8 slices pepper bacon
  • 1/2 cup diced white onions
  • 1/2 cup diced green pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced red pepper
  • 3 small jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
Cheese Sauce
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 pound (4 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 pound (1 cup) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/4 pound sliced American cheese
  • 2 ounces (1/2 cup) shredded Gruyere cheese
Topping
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 slices pepper bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

For pepper bacon macaroni:
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Cook pepper bacon until crisp. Chop and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of grease.
  • Heat grease in a medium-skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.
  • Add onion, green pepper, red pepper and jalapeño. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, until vegetables are warm, but still crisp. Set aside.
For cheese sauce:
  • Heat cream in large saucepan over medium heat. When it begins to simmer, slowly stir in all of cheese, mixing well to melt cheese.
To assemble and serve:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Combine cooked pasta, vegetables and cheese sauce in a large bowl.
  • Pour into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Bake 15 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with green onions and bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

If you try this recipe at home I would love to see it. Post pictures on my Facebook page, or comment below. Have you tried this Mac and Cheese at the Food and Wine Festival? I would love to hear your thoughts.