Savoury Mac & Cheese with Caramelized Onions & Crispy Bacon

• penne pasta, uncooked
• 3-3/4 qt. onions, medium dice King Sooper's 1 lb For $0.99 thru 02/09
• 1 qt. butter, divided
• 1-2/3 cups flour
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 2-1/2 tsp. pepper
• 2 gal. milk
• 1 gal. Kraft Shredded Medium Cheddar Cheese
• Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, cubed, softened
• Kraft Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
• 100 slices bacon, cooked, chopped and divided
• 2-1/2 qt. round buttery crackers, crushed
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh thyme, chopped

1. Cook pasta as directed on package.
2. Meanwhile, saute onions in 2/3 cup (150 mL) butter (or in 1 Tbsp.
3. 15 mL butter for trial recipe) 5 to 8 min.
4. or until caramelized; set aside.
5. Melt 15 oz.
6. (425 g) of the remaining butter (or 3 Tbsp.
7. 45 mL of the remaining butter for trial recipe) in large saucepan on medium-low heat.
8. Add combined flour, salt and pepper; cook 2 to 3 min.
9. or until thickened, stirring constantly.
10. Gradually stir in milk; cook just until mixture comes to boil and thickens slightly, stirring frequently.
11. Stir in cheeses; cook until melted.
12. Remove from heat.
13. Stir in onions and about 1-1/4 qt.
14. (1.25 L) of the bacon (or about 1/2 cup 125 mL of the bacon for trial recipe).
15. Drain pasta; place in large bowl.
16. Add sauce; toss to coat.
17. Spoon about 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) into each of 50 (5-inch) greased crocks (or into each of 5 crocks for trial recipe); place in sheet pan.
18. Melt remaining butter; mix with cracker crumbs and herbs.
19. Top each crock with 3 Tbsp.
20. (45 mL) of the cracker mixture.
21. Bake in 300 degrees F-convection oven 10 min.
22. or until lightly browned and bubbly.
23. Top each with about 1 Tbsp.
24. (15 mL) of the remaining bacon.

penne pasta, onions, butter, flour, salt, pepper, milk, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, cheese, bacon, buttery crackers, fresh parsley, fresh thyme

Taken from www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/savoury-mac-cheese-caramelized-onions-crispy-bacon-114611.aspx (may not work)