Kentucky Hot Brown Macaroni and Cheese

Prepare the Toppings:

1. 

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until crispy and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels; set aside at room temperature until ready to use. Measure 4 tablespoons bacon drippings into a medium-size heatproof bowl; discard remaining drippings.

2. 

   Add baguette cubes, thyme, salt, and black pepper to reserved bacon drippings in bowl, and stir to combine. Arrange mixture in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until bread cubes are crispy and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once halfway through cook time. Remove from oven; let cool completely on baking sheet, about 10 minutes. Transfer bread mixture to a small bowl; set aside at room temperature until ready to use.

   

Prepare the Macaroni and Cheese:

1. 

   Melt butter in a large pot over medium. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly, and bring to a gentle boil over medium (make sure to remain in contact with bottom of pot while whisking to prevent scorching or lumps as milk mixture comes up to a gentle boil). Reduce heat to low; cook, whisking often, until mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 15 minutes. Whisk in salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and white pepper. Toss together Gruyère and the 8 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano in a medium bowl until combined. Add cheese mixture in 4 additions to milk mixture in pot, whisking constantly and waiting until cheese has completely melted and milk mixture is smooth before next addition. Add cooked pasta and turkey, and stir to combine. Stir in cherry tomatoes. Season with additional salt to taste. Remove from heat.

   

2. 

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with butter, and place on a baking sheet. Pour macaroni mixture into prepared baking dish, and smooth top with a spatula. Sprinkle with the 1 ounce Microplane-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, until macaroni mixture is bubbling and golden brown on top, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with toasted bread and bacon mixture and serve.