Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 400 g macaroni
• 200 g bacon, chopped
• 50 g butter
• 50 g cake flour
• 750 ml milk
• 250 g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 50 g Cheddar cheese, grated for topping
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water until just tender, then drain.
3. Fry the bacon until crisp and set aside.
4. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour.
5. Cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the milk.
6. Cook while stirring until the sauce is smooth and thick.
7. Stir in the cheese, mustard, paprika and most of the bacon.
8. Combine the sauce with the macaroni.
9. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and scatter over the remaining cheese and bacon.
10. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden and bubbling.