Pesto Bacon Mac and Cheese Be Mine
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Pesto Bacon Mac and Cheese Be Mine

Pesto Bacon Mac and Cheese Be Mine

with Peas, Cavolo Nero and Herby Crumb

Make February 14th a feast to remember for friends, family and loved ones with an indulgent dinner - made with love! A super cheesy but classic comfort dish, this recipe is sure to win over that special someone.

Allergens:
Milk
Cereals containing gluten
Egg

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Boxes and ingredients are packed in facilities that handles Peanut, Nuts, Sesame, Fish, Crustaceans, Milk, Egg, Mustard, Celery, Soya, Gluten and Sulphites. Due to the war in Ukraine, it has been necessary to substitute sunflower oil with rapeseed oil in some products without a label change. The FSA have advised that allergic reactions to rapeseed oil are rare.

Preparation Time35 minutes
Cooking time25 minutes
DifficultyMedium

Ingredients

serving amount

2 unit(s)

Garlic Clove

40 grams

Mature Cheddar Cheese

(Contains Milk)

25 grams

Breadcrumbs

(Contains Cereals containing gluten)

1 sachet(s)

Mixed Herbs

180 grams

Macaroni

(Contains Cereals containing gluten May contain Soya)

100 grams

Chopped Cavolo Nero

150 grams

Creme Fraiche

(Contains Milk)

15 grams

Vegetable Stock Paste

40 grams

Grated Hard Italian Style Cheese

(Contains Milk, Egg)

32 grams

Pesto

(Contains Milk)

120 grams

Peas

90 grams

British Smoked Bacon Lardons

Not included in your delivery

2 tbsp

Olive Oil for the Crumb

20 grams

Butter

1.5 tbsp

Plain Flour

200 milliliter(s)

Water for the Sauce

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Nutritional information

Energy (kJ)5003 kJ
Energy (kcal)1196 kcal
Fat72.2 g
of which saturates34.1 g
Carbohydrate96.4 g
of which sugars10.4 g
Dietary Fiber9.2 g
Protein42.2 g
Salt4.81 g
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.

Utensils

Garlic Press
Small Bowl
Colander
Large Saucepan
Oven dish

Instructions

Get Started
1

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil with 1/2 tsp salt for the macaroni. 

Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press). Grate the cheese.

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, mixed herbs and the olive oil for the crumb (see pantry for amount). Set the crumb aside.

Macaroni Time
2

When your pan of water is boiling, stir in the macaroni and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins.

When the pasta has 5 mins left, add the cavolo nero to the same pan and boil for the remaining time. TIP: Discard any tough stalks from the cavolo nero.

Once cooked, drain in a colander and pop back in the pan. Drizzle with oil and stir through to stop the pasta sticking together.

Make the Sauce
3

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Melt in the butter (see pantry for amount).

Once hot, add the bacon and fry, 4-5 mins. IMPORTANT: Wash hands and utensils after handling raw meat. Cook it thoroughly.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 min, then stir in the flour (see pantry for amount) and cook until it forms a paste, 1-2 mins - you've made a roux!

Stir in the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) a little at a time, followed by the creme fraiche and veg stock paste.

Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring until thickened, 2-3 mins.

Say Cheese
4

Meanwhile, preheat your grill to high.

Once the sauce has thickened, remove from the heat, then stir through the hard Italian style cheese, Cheddar, pesto, peas, cavolo nero and cooked macaroni.

Add a splash of water if it's a little thick. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Get Grilling
5

Transfer the creamy pasta to an ovenproof dish and top evenly with the herby crumb.

Place your mac and cheese on a baking tray and grill until golden, 4-5 mins.

Serve
6

Share your pesto mac and cheese between your plates.

Enjoy!