As I mentioned last week, I’ve shunned diet January in favour of comfort and using up leftovers. As always with Christmas, that included a bit of a cheese mountain. In need a winter warmer recipe on these grey days and inspired by this idea that’s all over Pinterest at the moment, I set about making a pimped up version of this super easy mac ‘n’ cheese.
Prepare yourself. This is definitely not one for the detox. Once in a while’s ok though right?
Roasted Garlic One Pan Macaroni Cheese
1 Large head of garlic
Splash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
100g Pancetta or smoked streaky bacon cut into small pieces
500g Pasta (I used Fusilli)
900ml Semi-skimmed milk
1 Teaspoon English Mustard
200g Mature cheddar (or a mixture of whatever strong flavoured, left over cheese you have)
50g Parmesan
1. Firstly, you need to roast your garlic. Slice of a third of the top of a big head of garlic. Give it a glug of extra virgin olive oil and some salt and pepper. Wrap it in tin foil. Pop it in the oven, at about 180C for about 30 minutes.
Try not to put the oven on just for this, you could sneak it in alongside something else when the oven’s on anyway and then save your cooked garlic for a day or two in the fridge ready for this pot of cheesey goodness.
2. Pan fry your pancetta or bacon until crispy. You won’t need any oil as it should release it’s own. Scoop it out of the pan and keep it safe to one side.
3. Put your pasta, milk and mustard in the pan over a low to medium heat. Stir it every few minutes and cook for about 20 minutes. If it begins to look dry, add a little more milk.
4. In the meantime, find a helpful friend to grate all of your cheese. Explain that you will know if one single gram gets sneakily ‘taste tested’.
5. Take your cooled, roasted, meltingly squidgy, wonderful garlic and squeeze it out of it’s skin. Mash it with a fork.
6. When your pasta is cooked, add your cheese, bacon and garlic and stir well over a low heat.
7. Serve and enjoy the best macaroni cheese you’ll ever taste.
Talking of cheesey.. Did you hear about the explosion at a French cheese factory? All that was left was de brie.
What’s your favourite cheesey recipe… Or joke?!
Looks good and tasty. I’m going to give this recipe a go this week
Let me know how you get on Carla!
That looks so sinfully lush!
What are the best things always so naughty Michelle?!
Comfort food heaven! That looks amazing.
Thank you! It is a bit yum..
Roasted garlic, pancetta and cheese – sounds about perfect. Thanks for sharing with Cheese, Please! this month 🙂
Wow this looks seriously tasty! I love creamy pasta dishes and hope it tastes as amazing as it looks!! Will definitely be giving this a try! #TastyTuesdays
Oh, delicious. I think my family would enjoy this mac ‘n’ cheese. I love the addition of pancetta too.
That sounds heavenly (minus the bacon for the veggie…). Macaroni cheese is my ultimate comfort food 🙂
Oh wow I love mac n cheese but my family aren’t so keen. Gonna give this a go maybe it will change their minds!
Perfect Sammie, no need to share! 😉
I want to dive into a bowl of your macaroni. It really is the perfect comfort food. I love the addition of the roasted garlic, yummy. Fab entry for this month’s #PastaPlease challenge. Thank you.
Thanks Tina 🙂
Wow!
I love the addition of roast garlic. I used to go to a restaurant that served whole roasted garlic as a starter. Unfortunately, I used to take funders for my project there, and could only order it if someone else did, but I would always follow that waiters who were serving it to any other table with my eyes.
This made me laugh. Exactly what I’d be doing, pining after someone else’s garlic and then forgetting what the meeting was about!
Oh wow, this looks so moorish and all in one pan, love the sound of that. Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
oh my god!!! I need this. (my tummy and bum doesn’t but I do!!!)
Hello! Loved this recipe so much I have included it over at BritMums on the Food Round up this month… All things Valentine! Apt no? I thought so for something so delicious! 😀
how do i print this
can’t wait to make it xx