re: Making real Mac and cheese for the first time for Thanksgiving. Give me your recipe

I start with bacon and render it down. Remove and make sort of a bechamel with heavy cream, whole milk and chicken stock. Use the stock to cut the richness. Add parmesan, sharp cheddar and fontina cheeses. Add cheeses to bechamel, top with bread crumbs and a little more parmesan. Bake till the top is golden brown.