Name: Ninja Foodi Baked Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 3 slices thick-cut bacon, sliced in half; 3/4 cup yellow onion, chopped small; 3/4 cup Bosc pear, chopped in small pieces; 3/4 cup granny smith apple, peeled and chopped into small pieces; 2 large cloves garlic, crushed; 1 pound whole wheat pasta shells*; 4 cups + 2 tbsps water, divided; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 8oz sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded; 40z gruyere cheese, shredded; 1 tbsp corn starch; salt and pepper to taste; 2 tbsp Italian style bread crumbs; 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Description

Ninja Foodi Baked Mac and Cheese is an easy, cheesy mac and cheese recipe made entirely in the Ninja Foodi! Made with sharp cheddar cheese, gruyere, apples, pears and bacon!

Ingredients

Scale

3 slices thick-cut bacon, sliced in half

3/4 cup yellow onion, chopped small

3/4 cup Bosc pear, chopped in small pieces

3/4 cup granny smith apple, peeled and chopped into small pieces

2 large cloves garlic, crushed

1 pound whole wheat pasta shells*

4 cups + 2 tbsps water, divided

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp unsalted butter

8oz sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded

40z gruyere cheese, shredded

1 tbsp corn starch

salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp Italian style bread crumbs

2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Put the air crisp basket inside the main pot of the Ninja Foodi

Preheat for 3 minutes on “Air Crisp” function at 400°F

Spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray

Add the bacon slices to cover the bottom of the basket

Turn on “Air Crisp” at 400°F for 8 minutes to crisp the bacon

Using hot mitts remove carefully remove the basket**

Set the bacon aside on a paper towel, crumble into small pieces after it cools

Leave the bacon grease that dripped through the basket in the main pot

Switch the Ninja Foodi to “Sear/Sauté” function “High”

When the bacon grease starts to sizzle, add the onion, pear and green apple

Working with a wooden spoon, sauté for 3-4 minutes

Add in the garlic, sauté 2 more minutes

Carefully remove the sautéd fruit and vegetables and set aside

Pour the pasta, 4 cups of water and 1/2 tsp salt into the main pot***

Switch the Ninja Foodi to “Pressure” function “High” and set for 3 minutes

Cover the Ninja Foodi with the pressure cooking lid, set pressure valve to “seal”

When it beeps that is is done, release the pressure****

Carefully open the lid and set aside*****

Add the butter to the hot pasta, mix to melt

Add in the cheeses, mix to melt

In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry

Pour the slurry into the pot, mix to combine

Add the sautéd mixture and bacon, mix

Season with salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl, whisk together the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese

Sprinkle the mixture over the mac and cheese

Set the Ninja Foodi to “Broil” function at 450°F for 5 minutes

Serve the mac and cheese hot straight out of the main pot

Notes

Recipe is compatible with the Ninja Foodie 8-qt. 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Cooker and Air Fryer-Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

*You may use regular shells, or any other type of short-cut pasta

**Be aware of dripping hot grease

***You don’t need to wash it out, you can use it as is

****You can carefully quick release the pressure using the valve on the top (be aware of the hot steam that will be released) OR you can allow it to natural release (takes 10-15 minutes)

*****Not all of the water will be absorbed, but done drain it, it will become part of the cheese sauce

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Method: Ninja Foodi

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