It’s the day before Christmas Eve. And like just about everyone else, I have a ginormous to-do list.

I’m supposed to be bagging up the biscotti and wrapping caramels.

Instead, I’m watching a disappointing football game (spoil it and tell me it gets better – I’m an entire half behind), trying to relax after hitting 6 or 7 stores in what will forever be known as the Great Cranberry Clusterdebacle of 2012, and wearing a shirt that smells like I burned 4 pieces of bacon at breakfast.

And that’s because I burned the bacon at breakfast.

But I didn’t burn the bacon at lunch. And that was important because it was the last of the bacon in the house and there’s no way I’m stepping foot into another grocery store until December 26th. At least.

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Bacon and Pea Macaroni & Cheese

Dress up homemade macaroni and cheese with crispy bacon and green peas.

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne or macaroni pasta (I use Dreamfields)
• 8 oz frozen peas
• 4 thick slices of bacon, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (I use fat-free Greek)
• Dash of hot sauce
• 4 oz cheddar, shredded
• 4 oz fontina, shredded (or other melt-friendly cheese - not more cheddar)
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. In a medium saute pan, cook the bacon to a crisp and then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
2. Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions, until al dente.
3. Add the peas to the pasta water in the last minute of cooking.
4. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining the pasta and peas.
5. Return the pasta and peas to pot.
6. Add 1/4 cup pasta water (it must be hot), the yogurt, a few dashes of hot sauce, and 1/3 of the grated cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
7. Stir in remaining cheese, one small handful at a time to prevent clumping.
8. Add additional pasta water as necessary to thin and melt the cheese sauce.
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Add the bacon, mix well, and serve.

Notes

Yields: 4 servings

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Estimated time: 20 minutes

Nutritional Information*
Calories: 425.3 | Fat: 15.5g | Fiber 12.4g | Protein 23.8g | Carbs 14.5g
Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 7

*Your nutritional count may vary based on the brands you’ve used. I use Dreamfields Pasta (because my dad is diabetic and can eat it without too much of a noticeable spike) and it has reduced impact on digestible carbs and might account for larger discrepancies in fiber and carbs per serving.