Name: Ultimate mac and cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 400 gm dried macaroni; 70 ml olive oil; 100 gm rindless bacon or speck, cut into lardons; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 120 ml dry white wine; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; 2 tsp thyme, plus extra to serve; 600 ml pouring cream; 200 gm vintage cheddar, coarsely grated; 200 gm Gruyère, coarsely grated; 100 gm crème fraîche; 100 gm parmesan, finely grated; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 80 gm coarse fresh sourdough breadcrumbs; Finely grated rind of ½ lemon, plus extra to serve

Ultimate mac and cheese

This is comfort food at its best.

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Serves 4

Prep

20M

Cook

35M

Total

55M

Classic macaroni and cheese is comfort food at its best. It’s all about keeping it simple but using the best cheese you can get your hands on. We’ve used a mix of vintage cheddar with plenty of bite, a nutty Gruyère and a generous whack of parmesan. Smoky speck or bacon adds depth of flavour and complexity. A simple salad dressed with a piquant vinaigrette is an ideal side.

Ingredients

400 gm dried macaroni

70 ml olive oil

100 gm rindless bacon or speck, cut into lardons

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

120 ml dry white wine

2 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp thyme, plus extra to serve

600 ml pouring cream

200 gm vintage cheddar, coarsely grated

200 gm Gruyère, coarsely grated

100 gm crème fraîche

100 gm parmesan, finely grated

1 tsp smoked paprika

80 gm coarse fresh sourdough breadcrumbs

Finely grated rind of ½ lemon, plus extra to serve

Method

1.Preheat oven to 180C. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of well-salted boiling water until not quite al dente (6-7 minutes). Drain, reserving 2 tbsp cooking water, and return both to pan.

2.Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat, add bacon or speck and fry until crisp and fat renders (2-3 minutes). Add garlic, stir until fragrant, then deglaze pan with wine and simmer until reduced by half (2-3 minutes). Stir in mustard and thyme, then add mixture to pasta and stir to combine. Add cream, cheddar, Gruyère, crème fraîche, paprika and half the parmesan, season, mix well, then transfer to four individual 450ml baking dishes (or a large baking dish).

3.Mix breadcrumbs, rind and remaining oil and parmesan in a bowl and season. Scatter crumbs over pasta and bake until filling is bubbling and the top is golden brown (15-20 minutes). Scatter with extra thyme and lemon rind, and serve hot.