American-style macaroni and cheese baked in the oven (Mac-n-cheese)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups orecchiette pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp. premium flour
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
• 1 cup grated Gruyere
• 8 crispy fried slices bacon, broken into pieces

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a 2-quart (2-liter) casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. It should be firm to the touch, as it will be baking in the oven. Drain thoroughly.
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking vigorously, for 1-2 minutes. Continue whisking, add the milk and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the cheddar and Gruyere and stir with a spatula until all the cheese has melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the pan from the heat.
5. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. Add half the bacon to the pan and toss. Transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining bacon and bake, uncovered, until the sauce is bubbling and the pasta is cooked through, 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.