My Award-Winning Four-Cheese Mac-and-Cheese

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 strips bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 3/4 cup (about 1 medium) finely chopped sweet yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons dry white wine
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram (or 3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh marjorarm)
• 3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 pound fresh, whole-milk mozzarella, cubed
• 1/4 pound blue cheese (such as Stilton or Roquefort), crumbled
• 1/4 pound Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
• 1/4 pound Gruyere, grated
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 pound pasta, cooked, drained, and kept hot
• 1/2 cup panko (or substitute regular bread crumbs)
• Chives or parsley, for garnish (optional)

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain, reserving the drippings in the pan.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to the skillet, then add the onions and saute for 7 to 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
5. Stir in the flour and the wine, and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Add the half-and-half, marjoram, thyme, red pepper flakes, pepper, mozzarella, blue cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Gruyere.
7. Stir until the cheeses melt into the cream sauce and the sauce begins to bubble and thicken.
8. Taste the sauce and if necessary, season with the salt.
9. Add the cooked pasta, mixing thoroughly to coat with the sauce.
10. In a small skillet, toast the panko with the remaining butter until it is golden brown and crisp.
11. Season with a tiny pinch of pepper and salt, if desired.
12. Spoon the pasta into big bowls and top with a generous amount of panko and a sprinkle of bacon.
13. Garnish with a few snipped chives, if desired.

vegetable oil, bacon, unsalted butter, sweet yellow onion, flour, white wine, marjoram, thyme, red pepper, freshly ground black pepper, fresh, blue cheese, gruyere, kosher salt, pasta, bread crumbs, chives

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/my-award-winning-four-cheese-mac-and-cheese (may not work)