Alpine Macaroni

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms

Directions

1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions.
2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.
5. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
6. In a large skillet, cook the bacon, onion, and mushrooms over medium heat until the bacon is crisp and the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
7. Drain the cooked macaroni and add it to the sauce. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.
8. Transfer the macaroni to a greased baking dish. Top with the bacon, onion, and mushroom mixture. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
9. Serve hot.

Interesting Facts

• This dish is a traditional Swiss-Italian dish, often served as a comfort food.
• This dish is also known as maccheroni alpina.
• Nutmeg is a key flavor in this dish, so be sure to use freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor.