Let me start by saying my husband is leaving town tomorrow for the Sugar Bowl and I will miss him.

Now that I got that out of the way, I am so excited my husband is leaving town tomorrow because that means I get to eat some of my favorite recipes that he does not love, such as Spicy Sautéed Cauliflower and Spaghetti Squash with Vodka Cream sauce (recipes to come). Before that fun happens though, I started meal prepping for his drive down tomorrow with my father-in-law. His favorite & quick breakfast is a bacon, tomato, mayonnaise sandwich. I know. It’s weird. It can’t be a toasted sandwich either. I’m talking bread, mayo, tomato, bacon, smushed. Anyway – I started frying the bacon so I could throw it together in the morning.

I made too much bacon (I doubt anyone has ever uttered those words) so I came up with a dinner plan. I also have leftover ribeye’s from last night’s dinner, so I’m throwing it all into one dish.

I got an Instant Pot for Christmas and have been dying to use it, so that’s what I’m using to make bacon, steak, jalapeno mac & cheese. Any meal that I can serve as a single dish really makes my day and what doesn’t go well with mac & cheese? Am I right?

8 oz elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp salt & pepper
2 c water
1/2 c heavy whipping cream
1 tsp garlic powder
2 c colby jack cheese
1/2 c gouda cheese
1/4 c parmesan reggiano
1 tbsp. jalapeno, diced

optional:
steak bites
bacon topping
bread crumb topping

Note: this can also be made stove-top, it will just take longer

Throw the macaroni, butter, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, water, and 1/4 of the heavy whipping cream in the Instant Pot. Put on high pressure for 4 minutes.

It was evidently 4 minutes too long for this guy.

Quick release and add jalapeno, remaining whipping cream, colby cheese, gouda cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir together until cheese is melted and serve.

If you upgrade it like I did – melt 1 tbsp. butter and mix with 1/4 cup bread crumbs. Stir in steak bites and add bread crumb topping.

Broil on high for 2 minutes and top with bacon bits (I used 3 slices bacon, crumbled).

Enjoy and then try my healthy recipes tomorrow… a good diet is a balanced diet, right?!