Air Fryer Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Name: Air Fryer Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Total time: 35
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2.5 cups elbow macaroni; 2 tablespoons bacon grease; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon flour; 1.5 cups milk; 1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon; 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs; 0.25 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese; 0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 0.25 grated Colby-Monterey Jack cheese; 0.25 cup ricotta cheese; salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons Italian-seasoned bread crumbs; olive oil cooking spray

Recipe by Ash's In The Kitchen from allrecipes.com

Dinner 35 Mins.

Ingredients

4 servings

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2.5 cups elbow macaroni
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2 tablespoons bacon grease
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon flour
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1.5 cups milk
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1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon
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1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

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0.25 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
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0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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0.25 grated Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
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0.25 cup ricotta cheese
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salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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2 tablespoons Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
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olive oil cooking spray

Instructions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until almost firm to the bite, about 6 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt bacon grease in a small cast iron skillet that fits in your air fryer over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir flour into the hot bacon grease until golden brown, making a roux. Slowly whisk in milk and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in bacon and Italian herbs. Mix in Cheddar, Parmesan, Colby-Monterey Jack, and ricotta cheeses, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until cheese has melted, about 3 minutes.
Preheat an air fryer to 390 degrees F (195 degrees C).
Fold pasta into the cheese sauce and top with bread crumbs. Spritz with olive oil and pat down to minimize fly-away crumbs.
Air-fry until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling up at the edge of the skillet, about 15 minutes.