The best macaroni cheese

The best macaroni cheese

Autumn really made its presence felt here today so comfort food was on order... Macaroni cheese is a bit of an icon in our family.  Its a great go to dinner when time is short and hungry mouths need to be fed. Lots of gooey, cheesey pasta with a hint of tomato topped with crispy grilled cheese goodness. 

Macaroni cheese ingredients...

Ingredients:

300g macaroni pasta
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour 

2 cups milk
1 cup grated edam cheese
1 tin of chopped tomatoes 

1/2 finely diced onion

6 rashers of free range bacon (rindless eye) chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated cheese to top

1. Heat oven to 180°C. Cook pasta in plenty of boiling salted water for 10 minutes (or according to packet instructions) until just tender to the bite. Drain well.

2. At the same time, melt butter in a saucepan over a medium heat for 1 minute, , then whisk in flour stirring until it forms a smooth paste. Blend in milk a little at a time whisking continuously until a smooth sauce forms. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, remove from heat and add grated cheese, stir until melted.

3. Cook  onion and bacon in a frying pan over a medium heat until crispy.

3. Stir cooked pasta, onion and bacon into cheese sauce and then season with salt and pepper.

4. Spoon mixture into a greased oven dish or 6 individual ovenproof dishes. Scatter with extra grated cheese and bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until macaroni cheese is hot and the cheese on top is golden brown.