Easy Recipes – Bacon and Spinach Macaroni Cheese
Bacon and Spinach Macaroni Cheese
Serves 4
Prep time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 40 minutes
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Ingredients
1 cup fresh white bread crumbs.
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil.
300 grams macaroni.
250 grams bacon, chopped roughly.
50 grams butter.
1/4 cup plain flour, sifted.
2 cups milk.
Pinch cayenne pepper.
1/3 cup light thickened cream.
2 cups grated cheddar cheese.
100 grams baby spinach leaves.
30 grams parmesan cheese, grated finely.
Method
Preheat oven to 190 C.
Grease an 8 cup capacity baking dish.
Add bread crumbs and oil to a small bowl and stir to combine.
Cook macaroni in a saucepan of salted boiling water, according to packet directions.
Drain and return pasta to saucepan.
Place a frying pan over medium-high heat and add remaining oil.
Once to temperature, add bacon and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until crisp.
Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
Place a saucepan over medium heat and add butter.
When it is frothy, add the flour and cook stirring over the heat for 1 minute.
Remove from the heat and add the milk gradually, stirring constantly.
Add cayenne pepper and return pan to medium heat.
Cook, stirring for 5 minutes, until sauce boils and thickens.
Add cream, cheese and season with salt and pepper.
Cook stirring for 2 minutes, until cheese melts.
Add sauce, spinach and bacon to pasta and season with salt and pepper.
Spoon into baking dish and top with parmesan and prepared bread crumbs.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden.
Serving
Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
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