Before I got pregnant I had big dreams about the crazy cravings I wouldn’t be able to resist during the 9 months we’d be cookin’ up this baby.
Oreos dipped in peanut butter. A salty pickle in one hand, sweet ice cream in another. And most definitely sending Ben out semi-regularly to pick up movie theater popcorn without even seeing a movie. Extra butter, naturally.
Well here we are with 2 weeks to go and…nothing. Still no sudden urges that won’t dissipate until the craving has been crushed, still no melt downs, still no gotta have it NOW. Nothing!
Except, for mac and cheese.
Honest to God, I have looked at this post at least 3 times a week over the last 8 months, trying to justify eating one pot mac and cheese for every single meal of the day. I can’t get enough! Is it the carbs? The cheese? The creaminess of it all? Probably (say it with me)Â all. The. Things!
I’m surprised the dish hasn’t made an appearance more often on the blog over the winter and spring, probably because I turn to good ol’ Annie’s so frequently for a quick fix, but this recent homemade concoction was too good to not share. Sweet Corn and Bacon Skillet Mac & Cheese.Â
Creamy mac and cheese laced with smoky bacon and sweet corn, topped with fresh chopped tomatoes. The combo is quickly assembled right on the stove top, which is KEY for when that mac and cheese craving hits. No baking required!
The sweet corn in here just blows my mind. I considered doubling the amount after the first taste, but then I figured it might be more like cheesy corn with pasta….which doesn’t sound half bad, actually! Crisp bacon balances out the sweet, and chopped tomatoes provide a fresh flavor burst on top. Whether you’re a mac & cheese-craving Mama to be, or just mad about mac (who can blame ya’) I think you’ll love this dish!
Start by dropping 1/2lb gluten-free or regular gemelli (or any other short-cut pasta) into salted, boiling water. Cook until al dente then drain and set aside.
Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat then add 4 strips chopped bacon. Cook until crisp then remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Remove all but 1 teaspoon bacon fat from the skillet.
Now add my favorite part – the sweet corn! You’ll need 1-1/2 cups sweet corn kernels (about 2 ears of corn.) This tri-colored corn I recently got was sweeter than candy. MMM! Saute the corn for 3-4 minutes, just until it’s barely tender, seasoning with a bit of salt and pepper.
FYI – there are lots of ways to get corn off the cob but the easiest way I know how, without having kernels fly all over the kitchen, is to lay the cob on a cutting board and cut off a strip. Rotate so the just-cut side is flat against the cutting board then cut off another strip. Keep going until you get all around the cob.
Once the corn is tender, remove it to a plate then melt 2 Tablespoons butter in the skillet. Next add 2 Tablespoons gluten-free or all-purpose flour, stir to combine, and then cook for 30 seconds or so.
Slowly stream in 1 cup each milk (I used skim) and chicken broth, season with salt and pepper, and then stir until the sauce is thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat then stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (hand-shredded if possible!)
Add the cooked pasta, corn, and bacon into the skillet then stir to combine.
Pile onto plates, top with chopped tomatoes, and crush that mac & cheese craving!
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Sweet Corn and Bacon Skillet Mac & Cheese
Description
Sweet Corn and Bacon Skillet Mac & Cheese is made right on the stove top - no baking required!
Ingredients
- 1/2lb gluten-free or regular gemelli, or other short-cut pasta
- 4 strips bacon, chopped
- 1-1/2 cups sweet corn kernels (about 2 ears)
- salt and pepper
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons gluten-free or all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (I used skim)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 vine-ripened tomato, chopped
Directions
- Add pasta to a large pot of salted, boiling water then cook until al dente. Drain then set aside.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat then add bacon and cook until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate then set aside. Remove all but 1 teaspoon bacon fat from the skillet then add sweet corn and season with salt and pepper. Saute until just barely tender, 3-4 minutes, then remove to a plate and set aside.
- Melt butter in skillet then add flour and stir for 30 seconds. Slowly add milk and chicken broth while whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and cook, stirring near constantly, until the mixture is thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat then add cheese and stir until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta, bacon, and corn into the skillet then stir to combine. Serve topped with chopped tomatoes.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Thick, creamy, and decadent, this Sweet Corn and Bacon Mac & Cheese is hard to keep your fork out of. Hope you enjoy!
Nikki 07.11.2013
I craved protein, big time, specifically red meat. Could NOT get enough juicy burgers!
However, the restaurant where I often bought lunch above my workplace had the best, best, best mac-n-cheese, which we called crack-n-cheese because it was so addicting! It was not unusual for me to order french toast with a side of mac-n-cheese, lol! I got some weird looks for that combo…until I finally started to really show, then they handed over my grub with a knowing smile :)
Enjoy these last couple weeks of pregnancy!! Those were my favorite!!
Erin 07.11.2013
I also craved mac and cheese when I was pregnant with our daughter Adley! It was the only thing I would eat in the beginning. That was before I failed the GD test MISERABLY and had to cut out carbs. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy! Enjoy the last little bit you have left. : )
brandy m 07.11.2013
yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch 07.11.2013
Love fresh corn and this dish is one I’ve gotta try!!!
Tracy 07.11.2013
I’m 7 months pregnant and have been unable to resist the mac-N-cheese!! I craved it during my last pregnancy, too!!
Melissa 07.11.2013
I love the shape of noodles you used in this recipe, they are ideal!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons 07.11.2013
Also – recently, when I was running low on blog recipe inspiration, he asked if he should do a guest post about his “Homemade Hamburger Helper.” I sort of laughed it off. But maybe I should let him? hahahaha.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons 07.11.2013
Oh, this reminds me of meals my husband used to make us when we were first dating (read: had no money). He would make Kraft mac & cheese (don’t judge, it’s good sometimes!), and just throw random stuff into it. No matter what went in, he would call it “Homemade Hamburger Helper.” And….it was tasty :)
Trisha 07.11.2013
Whoa.
That is all.
Betsy 07.11.2013
That looks amazing! I too wondered if I would be sending my husband out at all hours to feed my cravings, but alas my one and only desire was ice water! It was completely bizarre.
erin@hooleywithaz 07.11.2013
i cannot believe you haven’t had any cravings! i have them when i’m not pregs…that being said, thank you for this creation, it looks amazing.
Claire 07.11.2013
This looks amazing! I’ve been obsessed with your Chicken Cordon Blu mac & cheese (making it 5 times in the past 2 months) and this looks just as good!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 07.11.2013
I’m not pregnant and I crave mac n cheese like its going out of style! This one looks incredible. I have been eating corn and tomatoes in almost everything I make so I know this would fit in perfectly! But with tempeh bacon. ;)
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking 07.11.2013
Oh my goodness! This is one big, beautiful bowl-full of comfort food. I love it!
katie 07.11.2013
This mac & cheese sounds awesome! I always wonder if one day when I am pregnant if I will have crazy cravings. A lot of my friends don;t… but I think craving mac & cheese is a good one to have!
Tieghan 07.11.2013
Sweet, cheesy and SO awesome! YUM!
Donna @ My Tasty Journey 07.11.2013
Looks delicious,as always! Can’t wait to make this with summer sweet corn:)
And I agree…I didn’t really have any cravings either, except for CARBS! (and avocados. There was ONCE a ‘scene’ about avocados;)
Courtney 07.11.2013
That looks incredible! Cannot wait to make it.
Hilary 07.11.2013
6 months pregnant and I will be making this over the weekend… yum!!
Cori 07.11.2013
Ohhh yum! Making this next week.