Macaroni and Cheese Pie

I've been wanting to make this recipe for a very long time. How could you go wrong? Macaroni and cheese ... in a pie ... with bacon. This recipe did not fail to disappoint either. The crust is outstanding. Don't cheat and use a pre-made crust. I did skip on the deep-fried macaroni balls (I considered adding some cheese curds, but it was plenty cheesy without them), but I'm sure it would be great with them.

If you end up with leftover pie crust (and you'll certainly have leftover macaroni), they can be used to make an excellent breakfast the next day. Put the pie crust in little souffle cups. Add some macaroni, crumble cooked bacon over the top, and top with an egg. Bake in the oven until whites are set and you have a perfectly satisfying weekend breakfast.

One year ago: Shaved Asparagus Pizza (one of my favourites!)

Macaroni and Cheese Pie (from Desserts for Breakfast)

Ingredients
pie crust
for pastry:
2 cups flour
1/4 tspn salt
6 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
2/3 cup butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 Tbspn tabasco sauce
5 Tbspn ice water
for filling and topping:
mac'n'cheese
bacon

1. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the grated cheddar cheese and cold butter into the flour until the size of small peas.
3. Gradually add the tabasco sauce and the ice water one tablespoon at a time until, when you press the dough between your fingers, it holds together. Do not overmix!
4. Wrap the dough in parchment paper or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
6. Remove the dough from the refrigerator roll it out, about 1/8" thick. Place the dough into the pie plate and crimp the edge. Using a fork, pierce the bottom of the crust several times.
7. If the dough has become soft from rolling, place the prepared pie plate in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes.
9. Line the inside of the pie crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dry beans.
10. Bake for 15-17 minutes, then remove from oven. Remove the beans and parchment paper and line the edge of the pie crust with foil. Return to the oven for 5-7 more minutes until the crust is golden. Remove. Keep the oven on.
11. Fill pie with mac'n'cheese.
12. Create a lattice top with bacon, making sure to cut the bacon strips long, since they will shrink in the oven.
13. Return to the 425 degree oven for about 8-10 minutes until the bacon is cooked. [I had trouble getting the bacon to cook and ended up broiling it a bit.] Remove.