This Hairy Bikers’ Macaroni Cheese with Bacon is a rich and creamy recipe, which is loaded with mature Cheddar, crispy bacon, and a golden Parmesan breadcrumb topping. It’s the ultimate comfort food bake, perfect for a hearty family meal.
Hairy Bikers Macaroni Cheese with Bacon Recipe Ingredients
- 100g butter, plus extra for greasing
- 100g plain flour
- 1 heaped tsp Dijon mustard
- 1.2 ltrs whole milk
- 5 tbsp double cream
- 1 bay leaf
- 400g mature Cheddar, grated
- 20 turns of a black peppermill
- 8 rasps of freshly grated nutmeg
- 500g dried macaroni
- 100g smoked bacon lardons or smoked pancetta cubes
- 60g white breadcrumbs
- 50g Parmesan cheese, grated
- salt
How To Make Hairy Bikers Macaroni Cheese with Bacon Recipe
- Make the Béchamel Sauce: Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the plain flour and cook for one minute to create a roux. Add the mustard. Take the pan off the heat and gradually whisk in the milk and cream until smooth. Add the bay leaf, return the pan to the heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and thickens.
- Add the Cheese: Take the pan off the heat again, remove the bay leaf, and add the grated Cheddar. Keep stirring until the cheese has completely melted. Season the sauce with black pepper and nutmeg.
- Cook the Pasta: While making the sauce, boil the macaroni in a large pan of salted boiling water for about 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain it well.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C (Fan 180°C). Butter a large ovenproof dish (approx. 35 x 20cm). In a separate frying pan, cook the bacon lardons or pancetta until crisp.
- Combine and Assemble: Stir the crispy bacon into the cheese sauce. Add the drained macaroni and stir everything together until well combined. Pour the mixture into the buttered dish.
- Top and Bake: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the grated Parmesan cheese. Scatter this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the sauce is bubbling. Serve hot with a green salad.
Recipe Tips
- How do you get a perfectly smooth cheese sauce? The key is to add the milk and cream to the roux (butter and flour mixture) gradually and off the heat. Whisk continuously between each addition to prevent any lumps from forming.
- Why cook the pasta al dente? The macaroni will continue to cook in the hot sauce as it bakes in the oven. Cooking it al dente (with a slight bite) beforehand ensures it won’t become overcooked and mushy in the final dish.
- How do you get a crispy topping? The combination of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese creates a delicious, savory, and crunchy crust that provides a perfect texture contrast to the creamy pasta underneath.
- Why cook the bacon separately? Frying the bacon lardons on their own before adding them to the sauce ensures they become properly crisp, adding a wonderful texture and smoky flavor to the dish.
What To Serve With Macaroni Cheese with Bacon
This rich and hearty bake is a meal in itself, but it pairs perfectly with simple, fresh sides:
- A crisp green salad with a sharp vinaigrette (as suggested in the recipe)
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Garlic bread
How To Store Macaroni Cheese with Bacon
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the baking dish back in a moderate oven, covered with foil, until heated through.
Macaroni Cheese with Bacon Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~750 kcal
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 45g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes. While a strong, mature Cheddar is classic, you could substitute it with other good melting cheeses like Gruyère, Gouda, or a mix of your favorites for a different flavor profile.
Yes. You can assemble the entire dish, let it cool, and then cover and refrigerate it for up to a day before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
Absolutely. Any short pasta shape with ridges or tubes, like shells, fusilli, or penne, will work wonderfully as they are great for holding onto the creamy cheese sauce.
Try More Recipes:
Hairy Bikers Macaroni Cheese with Bacon Recipe
Description
The ultimate comfort food bake, featuring a rich and creamy mature Cheddar cheese sauce, crispy bacon lardons, and a golden Parmesan breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make a roux with the butter and flour. Off the heat, gradually whisk in the milk, cream, and mustard. Add the bay leaf and simmer on the heat until thick.
- Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaf, and stir in the Cheddar until melted. Season with pepper and nutmeg.
- Cook the macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain well.
- Fry the bacon lardons until crisp. Stir them into the cheese sauce.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the sauce. Pour into a buttered ovenproof dish.
- Preheat oven to 200°C (Fan 180°C). Mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
- For a smooth, lump-free sauce, add the milk gradually and whisk constantly.
- Cooking the pasta al dente is key to preventing it from becoming mushy after baking.
- The breadcrumb and Parmesan topping creates a delicious, crispy crust.
- Frying the bacon separately ensures it stays crisp in the final dish.
