Mac & Cheese - just a little bit fancy

I know in many households across this vast universe Mac & Cheese is a household staple, the go-to-meal.

You wouldn't dare consider changing it - to do so would be sacrilege.

Well I DID change it and in my opinion, I DID improve it.

Everyone loves a makeover and I think Mac & Cheese love what I did......let your taste buds be the judge.

Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients

60gm Butter

3tbs Plain flour

1 Leek, sliced finely

4 Rashers of bacon, cut into 3/4in pieces

40gm Pancetta, thinly sliced (about 5 slices)

80gm Pecorino cheese, grated

100gm Cheese, grated

500gm Pasta

5C Milk

Assembly

• Cook the Pasta - follow the directions on the side of the packet.
  
• Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil in frying pan. Add the leeks and gently fry until soft remove the leeks from the pan & set aside.
  
• In the same frying pan add the bacon & pancetta & fry until slightly crispy (I like mine to have a bit of crunch). Remove these from the pan & set aside.
  
• In a medium sized saucepan melt the butter & then add the flour, ensuring that all the flour is coated with butter.
  
• Then into the butter/flour mixture add a cup of milk, stirring vigorously so you get a smooth paste, then add another cup, stir until thick - repeat this until you've used all the milk.
  
• Add your cheeses to the white sauce (I left a little pecorini out to sprinkle on the dish at the end)
  
• Then in a large ovenproof dish combine the drained pasta, leeks, bacon & cheese sauce, sprinkle some pecorini over the top & bake in the oven (160 degrees C) for about 15-20mins.
  

So......what do you think?......it's still Mac & Cheese but with a little refinement.

Enjoy!