Recipe Station

Here's everything you need to make this rich and creamy mascarpone mac and cheese. This recipe takes 35 minutes total time and makes four servings.

Ingredients to Gather

6 slices bacon
1 large sweet potato (about 1 1/4 lb.), peeled and cut into 3/4″ pieces
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
Kosher salt and pepper
12 oz. mezzi or regular rigatoni
1/2 c. mascarpone cheese
3 oz. extra-sharp Cheddar, finely grated

Directions to Follow

Heat oven to 450°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until browned and beginning to crisp, 12 to 15 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate (the bacon will crisp as it cools). Break into pieces once cool.

Next, take a second rimmed baking sheet and toss together the sweet potato, oil, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and then roast for 12 minutes in the same oven as the bacon. Toss the potatoes and then roast for an additional 6 to 9 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown. While you're doing this, cook the pasta according to the package directions, and when it's done, reserve half of the cooking liquid and then drain the pasta and put it back in the pot. Now, toss the pasta with the mascarpone until the pasta is coated, and then toss with the cheddar until the cheddar is melted. The pasta might be a bit dry, so add a little of the reserved cooking water from the pasta to moisten it. Finally, fold in the bacon and the sweet potato, and add a little of the fresh thyme on top if you wish.

And you're done! Have you ever tried this incredibly rich and savory version of mac and cheese? What did you think of it? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Source: Good Housekeeping