Mostly Meatless Monday - Smoky Mac & Cheese With Bacon

I bought some smoked gouda the other day and thought it would be great in some homemade mac & cheese, so I came up with this recipe.  Leave the bacon out for a meatless meal and it would still taste great, I think.

Smoky Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon

6 slices of bacon, fried, drained and crumbled
1 box (13.25 ounces) whole wheat penne pasta
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon flour (I used 1/2 white, 1/2 whole wheat)
1/2 cup half and half cream
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese

Fry bacon, drain and crumble, then set it aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.

While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a medium saucepan.  Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.  Stir in cream and milk.  Cook and stir until mixture thickens, 2-3 minutes.  Stir in cheeses until melted, then remove from heat.  Stir most of the bacon pieces into the cheese sauce mixture, reserving a tablespoon or two of bacon pieces for garnish.

Stir cheese sauce into cooked pasta until evenly coated.  Spoon into serving dish and garnish with reserved bacon pieces.

Makes 4 to 6 main-dish sized servings.