Description
Jamie Oliver’s mac and cheese blends creamy cheddar with crispy bacon for ultimate comfort. Cheese lovers will savor this classic dish that brings rich flavor and satisfying texture to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole nutmeg, for grating
- 1 litre (4.22 cups) semi-skimmed milk
- 600 g (21.16 oz) dried macaroni
- 150 g (5.29 oz) Cheddar cheese
- 100 g (3.53 oz) Parmesan cheese
- 45 g (1.59 oz) butter
- 10 cloves of garlic
- 8 tomatoes
- 6 bay leaves
- 3 heaped tbsps plain flour
- 3 big handfuls of fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 splashes of Worcestershire sauce
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
- Olive oil
- Diced cooked bacon (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Base: Melt butter in an ovenproof saucepan, whisking flour into a smooth paste. Sauté garlic slivers until golden, then introduce bay leaves and gradually stream milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps.
- Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, ensuring a tender yet firm texture. Simultaneously, roughly chop tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
- Create Sauce: Drain pasta and fold into the creamy base. Integrate grated Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned tomatoes, and half the thyme leaves. Enhance with Worcestershire sauce and a hint of nutmeg if desired.
- Season and Adjust: Taste the mixture, fine-tuning salt and pepper levels. If the sauce appears dense, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve optimal consistency.
- Bake and Garnish: Transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake at 220°C/425°F for 30 minutes until a golden crust forms. Meanwhile, toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and remaining thyme until rich brown.
- Final Touch: Sprinkle crispy bacon over the dish before serving, adding a smoky crunch to the creamy pasta.
Notes
- Maximize Garlic Flavor: Mince garlic finely and sauté until light golden to release its full aromatic potential without burning.
- Perfect Roux Technique: Whisk flour and butter slowly over low heat to create a smooth base, preventing lumps and ensuring a silky sauce texture.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, helping to thin or smooth out the mac and cheese if needed.
- Crispy Topping Trick: Toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and thyme until golden brown to add a delightful crunch and extra layer of flavor to the final dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: UK
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg