Bacon Macaroni Cheese

Name: Bacon Macaroni Cheese
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 300 g fusili pasta; 150 g bacon (diced); 100 g bacon (sliced); 2 shallots; 5 sprigs thyme; 25 g butter; 2 tbsp plain flour; 700 ml chicken stock; 350 g Castello® Tickler extra mature cheddar; 3 tbsp breadcrumbs

Cook 45 min 4 servings

Want to know how to make Bacon Mac and Cheese? Look no further! This is your ultimate recipe. When cravings have you longing for the best homemade comfort food, this recipe is the perfect go-to option.

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ingredients

300 g fusili pasta
150 g bacon (diced)
100 g bacon (sliced)
2 shallots
5 sprigs thyme
25 g butter
2 tbsp plain flour
700 ml chicken stock
350 g Castello® Tickler extra mature cheddar
3 tbsp breadcrumbs

preparation

Bursting of flavour

Dive in on a dish full of zesty flavours, and experience absolute comfort food heaven. Hints of ham and brine from the bacon lace the base of the macaroni, while sweet and buttery sparks from the Cheddar cover your palate in a smooth finish. A match made in heaven, the clash of texture and senses instantly elevates this dish to a new level. Your guests are guaranteed to fall in love when served some of our amazing Bacon Mac and Cheese.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200° C. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions in a large pan of boiling salted water until al dente.

2. In a hot saucepan, fry the bacon until it is crisp and golden but not completely crispy. Add a bit of butter, finely chopped shallots and thyme. Fry until the shallots are translucent. Add plain flour and stir until you get a paste. Slowly add chicken stock while stirring. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Top with grated Castello® Tickler Mature Cheddar and stir until the cheese has melted and you have a nice smooth sauce.

3. Drain the pasta, pour into a coated baking dish and top with the cheese and bacon sauce. Add breadcrumbs and grated extra mature cheddar (50 g). Bake for 25 minutes at 200° C and serve immediately.

Picking the right cheese

When dealing with a dish such as this, choosing the wrong cheese could result in a fragile or plain taste. Finding a cheese with a noticeable kick and flavour is key to getting the iconic macaroni and cheese taste. When deciding what cheese, you want to add, you should always choose one that compliments the other ingredients. For the best results, we use Castello® Tickler Mature Cheddar in our recipe. The tangy aromas and nutty nuances match the kick from the bacon perfectly, while also promoting the iconic macaroni and cheese taste. This matured cheese adds substance and flows in harmony with the bacon, while sprigs of thyme emit beautiful aromas of fresh lemon and mint. During the 17 months of aging, naturally formed salt crystals have broken down the body of the cheese, creating a crumbly texture that dissolves effortlessly. If you want to add something unique to your Bacon Mac and Cheese, try combining it with vegetables or cheeses, i.e. Parmesan, or get inspired by some of our many other macaroni and cheese recipes.

Complementing the dish

When deciding what drink should accompany your macaroni and cheese, always choose flavours that taste good together, as you would with ingredients, as some wines and beers may suppress the deep and rich flavours from the bacon and cheese. Both wine and beer should seek to compliment the strongest flavours. When choosing your wine, you ultimately decide what you prefer, but the correct wine greatly elevates the overall experience of your meal. Our Castello® Extra Mature Cheddar sits well with the vivid and mild tones of a Pinot Noir, while also being a great pairing with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. If opting for beer, look for one with mild bitterness and a malty palate, i.e. an English Pale Ale.