Prep Time 10 minutes - Total Time 1 hour - Serves 4
Is there anything more comforting than a big bowl of Mac and Cheese? well this super cheesy mac with a bacon and sage crumb will blow you away!
The great thing about Mac and Cheese is that you can take it any way you like, this recipe uses red Leicester, mild cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella, you can even add blue cheese.
Ingredients
500 g macaroni.
50 g unsalted butter.
50 g plain flour.
1 large white onion, finely chopped.
Fresh thyme.
800 ml full-fat milk.
200 g red Leicester, grated
200 g mild cheddar, grated.
100 g grated mozzarella.
50 g parmesan, grated.
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce.
1 tsp English mustard.
Chilli/hot sauce, optional.
100 g diced pancetta.
A handful of Panko breadcrumbs.
Fresh sage.
Method
In a large a saucepan add the onions, butter, salt and thyme leaves and slowly fry for around 10 minutes over low heat, or till the onions are nice and soft.
Add the flour and mix to combine with the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Turn up the heat slightly and start to gradually add the milk a little at a time whisking to prevent any lumps. Once it starts to thicken up add more milk and continue whisking, repeat this till you’ve used up all the milk.
Now add the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and the chilli sauce to taste if you are using it. You will now have the basic sauce ready to add whatever cheese you like. Just add a little at a time making sure the cheese has melted before adding any more and be sure to reserve some to sprinkle on top. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Cook the macaroni then add to the cheese sauce. Pour into an ovenproof dish and sprinkle with the leftover cheese. Now pop into a pre-heated oven at 200℃ for around 20 minutes or till nice bubbly and golden.
To make the bacon crumb simply fry the pancetta in a little oil until it just starts to turn crispy and golden which at that point add the panko and some sage leaves and a little nod of butter. It will only take a minute or so to crispin up then pour onto some kitchen roll. When the Mac & cheese comes out of the oven sprinkle this on top.
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