Description
Comforting mary berry macaroni cheese with bacon brings classic British flavors to your dinner table. Crispy bacon and creamy cheese create a rich, satisfying experience for home cooks seeking simple, delicious meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 350 g (12.3 oz) elbow macaroni
- 200 g (7 oz) smoked bacon lardons
- 200 g (7 oz) grated cheddar cheese
- 50 g (1.8 oz) unsalted butter
- 50 g (1.8 oz) plain flour
- 600 ml (20.3 fl oz) whole milk
- salt
- black pepper
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat: Configure oven to 392°F (200°C) with fan setting at 356°F (180°C), creating an optimal baking environment.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook macaroni in generously salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Bacon Treatment: Crisp bacon lardons in a skillet over medium heat until golden and rendered, transferring to a paper towel to eliminate excess grease.
- Roux Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and integrate flour, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes until achieving a light golden hue with a nutty fragrance.
- Sauce Development: Gradually whisk milk into the roux, ensuring a smooth, lustrous base, then fold in cheddar cheese until completely melted and seamlessly incorporated, seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Fusion and Assembly: Blend cooked macaroni and crispy bacon with the cheese sauce, guaranteeing comprehensive coating, then transfer to a deep ovenproof dish, distributing evenly.
- Baking Finale: Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the surface transforms into a rich golden-brown crust and sauce bubbles provocatively around the edges.
- Serving: Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and present immediately while piping hot and gloriously bubbling.
Notes
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a skillet until golden brown to ensure maximum flavor and optimal texture without burning.
- Roux Technique: Stir butter and flour continuously for 1-2 minutes to develop a rich, nutty base without creating raw flour taste.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Add cheese off direct heat and stir gently to prevent separating, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Baking Precision: Watch carefully during final 20-25 minutes to achieve perfect golden-brown crust without over-browning or drying out the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1080 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg