Spicy Scallop and Bacon Mac and Cheese
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Food:
Fish
Serves:
1 to 2 people
Prep Time:
10 min
Cook Time:
25 min
This Spicy Scallop and Bacon Mac and Cheese is a great way to combine hearty rich food, with the light delicate sear of the perfect scallop. A rich and creamy mac and cheese with a little bit of heat from a hit of bomba sauce, topped with crushed cheese crackers, crispy bacon bits, chives and of course the perfectly seared scallops, makes for a decadent dish you won't soon forget.
Chef Matt Basile
Ingredients
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5-6 scallops
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10 slices bacon
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3 tbsp butter
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2-3 cloves garlic
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2 lemons
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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¾ cup milk
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½ cup fresh mozzarella
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2 slices American cheese
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1-2 tbsp Bomba sauce
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Cooked pasta shape of choice, al dente
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Chives
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Black pepper
Instructions
Set smoker to 375F.
Cook and drain your pasta. This can be done the same day or day before.
Cut the bacon into small pieces and add to a cast iron pan on the elevated grill rack. Cook, stirring occasionally until crispy or desired doneness.
Grate the garlic.
Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate or bowl. Add 3 tbsp butter to the same pan the bacon was in and stir in the garlic.
Slowly sprinkle in the flour and mix. Add the milk in slowly in phases, while mixing each time you add more. Break in the fresh mozzarella and mix then add the American cheese and mix until melted and smooth. Add the bomba sauce and mix until incorporated. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Mix and squeeze in the juice from half a lemon. Mix and place into the smoker for about 15 minutes.
Crush the Cheez-its in the bag and then chop until fine.
Pat the scallops dry and place on the flattop. Drizzle with oil and allow to sear four minutes, flip, squeeze the juice from half a lemon on top and allow to sear another four minutes.
Finely chop the chives.
Remove the mac and cheese from the smoker. To plate, spoon the mac and cheese into a bowl, top with the crushed crackers and then 2-3 scallops. Sprinkle with the bacon bits and chopped chives. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon on top and enjoy.