Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onions

Ingredients
4 strips bacon
1 large sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups regular or multigrain dried elbow macaroni (6 ounces)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
4 ounces processed gruyere cheese, shredded, or blue cheese, crumbled
1 cup half-and-half or light cream
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
1. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, turning
once. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble. Reserve bacon drippings in
skillet.

2. Cook onion in reserved bacon drippings for 5 to 8 minutes or until
onion is tender and golden brown. Set aside.

3. In a large saucepan cook macaroni according to package directions.
Drain and return to saucepan. Stir in the crumbled bacon, onions, 1-1/2
cups of the mozzarella cheese, the gruyere cheese, half-and half, and
pepper. Toss gently to combine. Spoon into a 1-1/2-quart casserole.

4. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F ovenfor 20 minutes. Stir gently.
Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes more or
until top of casserole is brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Makes
4 servings


Nutrition facts per serving:
calories: 632
total fat: 39g
saturated fat: 21g
monounsaturated fat: 13g
polyunsaturated fat: 2g
cholesterol: 110mg
sodium: 617mg
carbohydrate: 37g
total sugar: 3g
fiber: 4g
protein: 33g
vitamin C: 5%
calcium: 65%
iron: 11%