Macaroni 'N Cheese With Bacon

Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 2 cups of the cooking water.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat. When crisp, remove the bacon and let drain on paper toweling. When cool, crumble the bacon.

Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add the butter to the bacon grease and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted.

Stir the flour into the grease and mix until smooth. While stirring, very slowly add the evaporated milk and reserved cooking water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened.

Stir in the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and onion. Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cheese is melted.

Add the cooked pasta to the saucepan and stir to coat the pasta in the sauce.

Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a serving dish. Top the pasta with the crumbled bacon and toasted bread crumbs, if using.

Serve immediately.