Sweet Potato and Bacon Mac ’n’ Cheese

We always have some kind of pasta on our Thanksgiving table. Ours usually includes some type of Thanksgiving-related vegetable or flavor like pumpkin, butternut squash or sage.

By | November 17, 2019

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • ½ pound cavatelli pasta, cooked al dente in salted water
  • 3 cups (1½ pints) heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 strips applewood bacon, cubed and cooked until crispy
  • ¾ cup grated cheese (we recommend a blend of cheddar, gouda and gruyere)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3–4 slices sourdough bread, toasted
  • Leaves from 4–6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 1 pinch kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Wash sweet potatoes and cut a ½-inch slit atop each, then place on a baking sheet or foil in the oven and bake until tender, approximately 1 hour. Remove from oven, peel off and discard the skin and purée the sweet potato in a food processor until smooth (or use a food mill). Set aside.

Butter a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat bring cream to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and allow to simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add in cheese, puréed sweet potatoes and bacon. Adjust thickness with milk and combine with the cooked pasta. Spread pasta mixture into the baking dish.

Raise oven temperature to 450°F. In a food processor, pulse the bread into crumbs. Fold in melted butter, Parmesan, thyme leaves and a pinch of salt. Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs and bake until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Serves 6 to 8.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • ½ pound cavatelli pasta, cooked al dente in salted water
  • 3 cups (1½ pints) heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 strips applewood bacon, cubed and cooked until crispy
  • ¾ cup grated cheese (we recommend a blend of cheddar, gouda and gruyere)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3–4 slices sourdough bread, toasted
  • Leaves from 4–6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
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