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!
jamie @lifelovelemons 07.12.2013
great idea! thanks so much for sharing!
Flo 07.12.2013
I’m not a fan of altering someone’s receipe – But what do you suggest as a protein if not bacon in this?
Thanks!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.12.2013
Sauteed chicken would be good, too!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes 07.12.2013
I love using fresh corn in dishes!! Mac and cheese is such comfort food :)
Sara 07.12.2013
Can’t wait to try this.
With both of my pregnancies, mac and cheese was one of the only things I could keep down first trimester. Cravings hit later, with my poor husband having to go find me vanilla soft-serve late at night, and eating jars of peaches in a given day!
Mary Clay Kline @ Cooking with the King 07.11.2013
This IS all the things. Oh my. I’ve been adding corn to my mac n’ cheese since I ate Kid Cuisine macaroni and stirred my corn in. Innovation starts young. Anyway, this looks absolutely GAW-geous, and it will be making an appearance at my house super soon. Can’t wait to “meet” your sweet baby soon!
Jane 07.11.2013
I had major cravings for pork chops, fried fish and Sierra Mist pop! More specifically, my dad had a restaurant, and I would alternate meals of pork chops and fish, haha :) Cannot believe you only have 2 weeks left! EEEKKKK :D
Nessa 07.11.2013
Dibs on this ;)
Liz 07.11.2013
I know I’m going to love this (fattening). Thank you.
Suzanne @ Mixing It Up 07.11.2013
I am so NOT pregnant but that won’t stop me from making this multiple times over the next couple weeks. I love a good homemade mac and cheese and with sweet corn and bacon added into the mix, I call it perfection!!!
ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com 07.11.2013
that looks amazing! cheese? yes! bacon? yes!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 07.11.2013
I love adding veggies and tomatoes to my mac & cheese, but I have never thought to add corn. You better believe that I will be trying that the next time that I make it!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia 07.11.2013
Love love love this! The only weird craving I had while pregnant was mayo… I didn’t eat it by the spoonful but I could not get enough of stuff with mayo like macaroni salad, egg salad etc.
Faith@The Stirring Place 07.11.2013
I’m 5 months pregnant and can’t get enough of mac-n-cheese. I have to limit myself to one box of Annie’s a week…but it’s so hard. This is getting pinned, like right now. And the corn! I can’t even handle the genius.
Karen 07.11.2013
That looks delicious. What kind of skillet are you using? It is a Le Creuset?
Iowa Girl Eats 07.12.2013
Yep! A Le Creuset cast iron skillet.
Julia 07.11.2013
This looks sooo yummy! I am now officially craving mac and cheese. I love the tomatoes in it too! I actually didn’t have many cravings either–other than loads of watermelon and pizza..random!
Jennifer D. 07.11.2013
Looks delicious!! With baby #1, I craved Japanese food, tempura specifically, but that was it. With baby #2, no cravings at all. I always thought that was weird. :) Best wishes on an easy delivery of your little bundle of joy!
Katie 07.11.2013
You’re the best!! Growing up the rule was we had to add a vegetable to our bowls when making kraft mac and cheese, and I always preferred corn! I’m not sure if I could add tomatoes (I’m not really a fan) but I would probably add some broccoli to pump it up nutritionally!
Tracy 07.11.2013
I think my kids will go CRAZY for this recipe!! The lazy cook in me is wondering if I can make it more like the one pot recipe? Maybe add the crisp bacon and corn at the end? I think your recipe would definitely have more flavor….but what do you think about the shortcut? Any advice?
Iowa Girl Eats 07.12.2013
Oh sure, I think that’d still be delicious! :)
Jamie 07.11.2013
Also didn’t have any urgent cravings but did eat a ton of watermelon last summer when I was preggers. This mac looks amazing. I too will tell you – enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy! I remember them as being pretty magical.
Jess 07.11.2013
From one mac and cheese-craving mama-to-be to another…THANK YOU!!!