Have I said before that I love pasta? Ummm…yes, probably. Always worth repeating though and this, macaroni cheese, is my favourite of all the pasta dishes.  It’s pure comfort in a bowl.

Another one where we should probably turn a blind eye to such things as calories and fat content.  This is comfort time for goodness sake!

Mum’s Macaroni Cheese

Serves 4

You will need:

400g macaroni

1 chopped onion

1 chopped red pepper (sometimes I just use 1/2 the pepper – especially if I’m including a chilli)

Approx 5 slices unsmoked bacon

1.5 oz butter

1.5 oz plain flour

1 pt milk

1 tsp mustard powder

6-8 oz mature Cheddar (depending how cheesy you like it)

1 chilli (optional)

breadcrumbs to top (optional) why not jazz them up a bit?

• Turn the oven on to 180C
• Melt the butter in a medium to large pan and then add the onion, pepper, chilli (if using) and bacon.  Fry until the onion is translucent and the bacon cooked
• Add the flour and mustard powder and stir into the mix on a gentle heat for a minute
• Start to add the milk a little bit at a time.  Once it’s been absorbed into the sauce then add a bit more and keep going until all the milk has been used.
• Now add the cheese (leaving some behind to sprinkle on top) and stir into the sauce until it has all melted
• Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to the packet instruction (leaving a little al dente)
• Put the cooked macaroni into an ovenproof dish and pour the sauce over so it covers everything.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs (if using)
• Cook for 20-30 mins

Serving suggestion – loads of ketchup!

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