Imen Dridi Many people find great solace in a bowl of macaroni and cheese, and Mary Berry’s version, which she enhances with bacon, is particularly tasty. The crispy bacon is a great way to add a smokey and savory flavor to this otherwise cheesy and creamy pasta dish. This simple and delicious meal from Mary Berry is excellent for a night in with the family or a get-together with friends.
The recipe for Mary Berry’s macaroni cheese with bacon will be dissected in this article, along with suggestions for improving upon an already delectable dish.
💓 Why You’ll Love This Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon
Here are some reasons why you’ll love Mary Berry’s macaroni cheese with bacon:
- It’s the kind of meal that brings people together, whether it’s a quiet night in or a big celebration.
- The original mac and cheese gets a smokey and delicious upgrade when crispy bacon is added.
- The instructions in Mary Berry’s recipe may be followed by even the most inexperienced bakers.
- To suit individual tastes, you may choose from a variety of cheeses and bacon.
- The convenience of reheating leftovers makes this dish ideal for meal prepping or packing a fast lunch.
- When it comes to comfort food, go no farther than Mary Berry’s macaroni cheese with bacon.
What Is Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon Recipe?
Mary Berry’s take on traditional mac & cheese calls for crumbled bacon to be folded into the cheese sauce. Prepare elbow macaroni according to package directions, then make a cheese sauce with butter, milk, and your choice of cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan) and season with salt and pepper to taste. The pasta and cheese sauce are then combined with chunks of crispy bacon and baked until bubbling and golden. It’s great for any occasion because it’s tasty and warm.
🍝 Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon Ingredients
- 350g elbow macaroni
- 200g smoked bacon lardons
- 50g unsalted butter
- 50g plain flour
- 600ml whole milk
- 200g grated cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
What Is The Best Cheese To Use For Macaroni And Cheese?
Macaroni and cheese is best made using a blend of cheeses that melt smoothly and have wonderful taste. Some common cheeses used in mac and cheese dishes are as follows:
- Cheddar cheese: The traditional cheese for macaroni and cheese is cheddar. It has a strong taste that goes well with pasta and melts easily.
- Gruyere cheese: Macaroni and cheese benefit greatly from the inclusion of Gruyere cheese, which has a nutty taste and melts easily.
- Parmesan cheese: the salty, robust flavor of this cheese gives mac & cheese an extra dimension. It pairs well with a variety of different cheeses or may stand on its own.
- Fontina cheese: Macaroni and cheese made with Fontina cheese has a smooth consistency and a mild, nutty flavor, making it a popular option.
- Mozzarella cheese: This cheese is ideal for making creamy mac & cheese because of its melty, stretchy nature.
In the end, everyone has their own opinion on what makes the finest cheese for mac & cheese. If you want to discover the perfect balance of flavor and texture, try mixing and matching various cheeses.
🔪How To Make Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6.
- Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.
- Fry the bacon lardons in a frying pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
- In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir until combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously, until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked macaroni and crispy bacon lardons to the cheese sauce and stir until everything is well coated.
- Pour the mixture into a large ovenproof dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
💭Recipe Tips
If you want to create the greatest Mary Berry macaroni cheese with bacon, follow these steps:
- For maximum taste, lardons of high quality bacon should be used. When using pancetta or normal bacon in a cheese sauce, it is important to cook the bacon until it is crispy.
- Before adding the macaroni to the cheese sauce, make sure it is cooked until al dente and completely drained. This will reduce the risk of the pasta being overdone and mushy.
- Use a high-quality, meltable cheddar for the cheese sauce. Cheeses like Parmesan and Gouda can be used for variety and depth of taste.
- To avoid lumps, slowly whisk the milk into the flour and butter mixture while whisking.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste, keeping in mind that both the bacon and the cheese contribute saltiness.
- You may get as far as Step 9 and refrigerate the meal, covered, for up to 24 hours before serving. Wait 30 minutes after taking it out of the fridge before baking it.
- Use whole wheat macaroni, skim milk, and low-fat cheese for a healthier version of this recipe. However, this might alter the dish’s flavor and consistency.
Following these steps will guarantee that your Mary Berry macaroni cheese with bacon turns out tasty and satisfying.
How Can I Keep My Mac And Cheese Creamy?µ
There are a few ways to maintain the creaminess of your mac and cheese:
- Pasta should not be cooked for longer than recommended since it will get mushy and absorb too much sauce, making the meal overly dry. Pasta should be cooked to an al dente consistency, as directed on the box.
- Coat the pasta with sauce, so use enough of it. The sauce should have some body and creaminess to it without being overly heavy or clumpy.
- To avoid the sauce from getting overly thick or dry, add a splash of milk or cream and stir to combine.
- Add the cheese gradually, stirring constantly, until it has all melted and been integrated into the sauce. This will guarantee a velvety consistency.
- Mac & cheese is at its finest when eaten right after it has been cooked, while it is still hot and creamy. You may reheat it by adding a little milk or cream and heating it over low heat, stirring often, until it is hot and creamy again.
🍴 What To Serve With Macaroni Cheese With Bacon?
The macaroni cheese with bacon from Mary Berry’s recipe is a substantial main meal. Here are some recommendations for accompaniments, though, if you’re hoping to spice things up a bit or counteract the dish’s inherent richness:
- A simple green salad dressed with a mild vinaigrette might be a welcome relief from the heavy creaminess of the mac ‘n’ cheese.
- Broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts are just a few examples of the cruciferous veggies that roast up beautifully and nutritionally when added to a dish.
- Cheese sauce leftovers may be sopped up with garlic bread, which is always a hit with guests.
- Chicken that has been grilled makes for a tasty addition and is a good source of protein.
- To round out the tastes of the mac and cheese, try serving it with a small cup of tomato soup as an appetizer or side dish.
These are just a few ideas; feel free to add any toppings and seasonings you choose to make the dinner your own.
🥶 How To Store Leftovers
You may keep any leftovers of Mary Berry’s macaroni cheese with bacon in the refrigerator for up to a week if you have any leftovers at all. How to do it:
- Room Temperature: Before placing the macaroni and cheese in an airtight container, you should allow it to reach room temperature first. Because of this, condensation will not form, which would otherwise make the pasta soggy.
- In The Fridge: The macaroni and cheese with bacon may be stored in the refrigerator for up to three or four days.
- In The Fridge: If you want to save the leftovers for later use, you may freeze them by placing them in a container that can be frozen or a freezer bag that can be sealed again. Make sure the container is clearly labeled with the date and what it contains.
Macaroni cheese with bacon that has been frozen and packaged can be kept in the freezer for up to two to three months.
🌡️ How To Reheat Leftovers
The leftover macaroni cheese and bacon from Mary Berry’s recipe can be reheated in a number different ways:
- Oven: Make sure your oven is preheated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Cover the macaroni and cheese with foil and bake it in the oven. Heat in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Stovetop: Cook the macaroni and cheese in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop. Keep stirring every so while to prevent burning. To restore some of the smoothness, add a dash of milk or cream.
- Microwave: The macaroni and cheese should be placed in a microwave-safe dish and covered with a moist paper towel or microwave-safe lid before being cooked in the microwave. Stirring occasionally, cook on high for 1–2 minutes.
- Skillet: Preheat the pan over medium heat. To heat the macaroni and cheese, add it to the pan and stir it occasionally. To restore some of the smoothness, add a dash of milk or cream.
To achieve equal heating, the macaroni cheese should be stirred regularly throughout preparation regardless of the method used. It’s also crucial to make sure the macaroni cheese has achieved an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) before serving it to your family.
FAQ Section
Do You Need Eggs To Make Bacon Mac And Cheese?
No, you do not need eggs to make bacon mac and cheese. Eggs are not often used in conventional mac and cheese recipes, and adding eggs can significantly modify the texture of the meal. However, some variations of mac and cheese may include eggs as a binder to hold the dish together or to create a custard-like texture. In order to guarantee that the eggs in your dish are cooked through and safe to eat, you must strictly adhere to the recipe’s instructions.
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Noodle In Macaroni Cheese With Bacon?
Yes, you may use a different variety of noodle in macaroni cheese with bacon. Macaroni is the typical pasta used in this meal, but you may also use fusilli, penne, or shells instead. It’s important to remember that the type of pasta you use will affect both the cooking time and the amount of water needed. Macaroni cheese with bacon may be wonderful with a wide variety of pastas, even if the texture or mouthfeel is slightly different.
How Long To bake Macaroni Cheese With Bacon?
Macaroni and cheese with bacon takes different amounts of time to bake depending on the recipe and the size of the baking dish you use. Bake it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbling. However, different recipes may require different temperatures and baking times, so always check the recipe to be sure.
Try Other Mary Berry Recipes:
Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon Nutrition Fact
- Calories: 520
- Total Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 780mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 43g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 24g
Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Bacon
Description
Many people find great solace in a bowl of macaroni and cheese, and Mary Berry’s version, which she enhances with bacon, is particularly tasty. The crispy bacon is a great way to add a smokey and savory flavor to this otherwise cheesy and creamy pasta dish. This simple and delicious meal from Mary Berry is excellent for a night in with the family or a get-together with friends.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6.
- Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.
- Fry the bacon lardons in a frying pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
- In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir until combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously, until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked macaroni and crispy bacon lardons to the cheese sauce and stir until everything is well coated.
- Pour the mixture into a large ovenproof dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For maximum taste, lardons of high quality bacon should be used. When using pancetta or normal bacon in a cheese sauce, it is important to cook the bacon until it is crispy.
- Before adding the macaroni to the cheese sauce, make sure it is cooked until al dente and completely drained. This will reduce the risk of the pasta being overdone and mushy.
- Use a high-quality, meltable cheddar for the cheese sauce. Cheeses like Parmesan and Gouda can be used for variety and depth of taste.
- To avoid lumps, slowly whisk the milk into the flour and butter mixture while whisking.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste, keeping in mind that both the bacon and the cheese contribute saltiness.
- You may get as far as Step 9 and refrigerate the meal, covered, for up to 24 hours before serving. Wait 30 minutes after taking it out of the fridge before baking it.
- Use whole wheat macaroni, skim milk, and low-fat cheese for a healthier version of this recipe. However, this might alter the dish’s flavor and consistency.
