So sorry that I have not visited your blogs or replied to your comments the past few days – we are having HUGE problems with our internet at the moment. I will catch up ASAP!
For somebody who doesn’t cook pasta very often, I have made up for lost time recently. Macaroni and Cheese is one of those super comfort meals that you can eat with your feet up on the couch while watching TV – not that I would ever do that… Frying some onion and bacon to add into the mix makes this an even more scrumity, not to mention the truck load of cheese. If you prefer to bake your Mac ‘n Cheese before serving, top with a breadcrumbs and parsley mixture before baking.
Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
250g macaroni or pasta of choice
1 onion sliced
6 rashers bacon diced
80ml butter
80ml flour
500ml milk
2 cups cheddar cheese grated
5ml chicken stock powder
Pepper to taste
1 large tomato chopped
Method
- Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions.
- Fry the onion in a little olive oil or butter until lightly browned, add the bacon and fry until cooked through. Set aside.
- In a pot, melt the butter and the flour and stir through to form a roux.
- Add the milk and continue to stir until thickened.
- Add the cheese and stir through until incorporated.
- Add the stock powder and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the bacon and onion and macaroni.
- Stir in the tomato just before serving.
- Serve as is or bake for 20 minutes in the oven preheated to 180°C.



Follow me
Follow me









–Now, Mandy,
this is what I call “Mac & Cheese.” I dig it! Xxx
By: My Inner Chick on July 3, 2012
at 08:00
Thanks my darling friend. Sorry that I haven’t been by your blog but our internet problems are still not fixed. I will catch up with you as soon as I can.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:12
Oh, Mandy! This post’s opening sentence, the one about not making pasta often, was like a knife to the heart. I’m sure you didn’t mean it. I bet you make pasta all of the time. It’ll be our little secret.
Like you, I add bacon to my mac & cheese and a tomato, if I have one. I don’t use an onion, though, and I wonder why? Seeing it here, it seems perfectly natural to do so. That’s a good idea and i’m going to borrow it. If someone asks, I’ll tell them I got the idea from South Africa’s premier pasta maker … or something like that.
By: ChgoJohn on July 3, 2012
at 08:11
OH NO John, I hope I can make it up to you – PLEASE forgive me! What if I promise to make pasta every week moving forward…deal?
Now, I have to insist that you add onion to the next Mac and Cheese you make and I am loving the idea of being a premier pasta maker – best I get cracking to do my title justice. Have an awesome day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:17
Perfect and adding bacon is the icing on the cake (so to speak)! How did you make it look so pretty in the photos. Mine tastes good but looks like sludge when I try to take a shot!
By: Chica Andaluza on July 3, 2012
at 08:29
Thanks Tanya! I put it in a serving ring – it doesn’t exactly hold it’s shape when I remove the ring but it does certainly look a little prettier than just dishing it straight onto the plate – well that and a really close up shot. Can’t wait to get back to your posts as soon as we can get our internet sorted out! It’s beyond frustrating and tomorrow will be 6 days since the problem started! Oh well. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:21
A serving ring – no wthat is a bright idea. and a lovely recipe too!!
By: Promenade Claire on July 4, 2012
at 11:52
Thanks Claire! I must say, the serving ring works a charm! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 5, 2012
at 15:49
I love mac and cheese, Himself doesn’t, but as long as I tart it up like you have he will eat it. Hope you come right with your interenet.
By: Sous Chef on July 3, 2012
at 08:50
Seems Himself and my Pete are somewhat particular eaters – Pete insists not to be fussy – just knows what he likes.
This internet problem is REALLY starting to frustrate the hell out of me! It takes at least 5 minutes just to moderate and reply to one comment!
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:25
Here’s hoping your Internet gets fixed quick smart my friend!
Meanwhile keep eating this gorgeous mac n cheese
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on July 3, 2012
at 08:52
Thanks CCU. I am starting to get most irritated with the problem – just shows how reliant we are on the internet! Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:29
Sigh…I could live on these sorts of dishes. Hope they’re keeping you warm, M!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on July 3, 2012
at 11:35
Must say this is one of those moreish comfort meals Celia. Today was a lovely warm day outside – yippee!
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:38
There’s a reason why this is a perennial favorite. Just look at it. Hope the computer problems get fixed soon.
By: Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on July 3, 2012
at 14:03
Thanks Greg. I am starting to pull my hair out in chunks with this silly internet! Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:39
This is Mr. N’s favorite dish – mac and cheese with bacon. He refused to eat it without bacon.
Looks fantastic and comforting.
By: Kristy on July 3, 2012
at 16:43
Thanks Kristy. Hope Mr N would approve of mine too! Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:45
Your mac and cheese looks wonderful, Mandy! One of the things I love so much about this dish is that it’s so versatile. Add some ham and onion, great. Add some mushrooms, lovely. Mix your cheeses, can’t go wrong. I like to top mine with herbed breadcrumbs and bake it. However I haven’t tried tomato and bacon, and that sounds just perfect…next on my list! Hope your internet problems are fixed soon…that’s such a drag.
By: bitsandbreadcrumbs on July 3, 2012
at 17:07
Thanks Betsy. Hope you enjoy it with the bacon and tomato. Think I will add mushrooms into the mix next time too. This internet story is beyond a drag at this stage! Really hope we are back up to speed tomorrow! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 17:47
Lover of the Mac n Cheese – YUM:) Happy Tuesday!
By: cravesadventure on July 3, 2012
at 17:08
Happy Tuesday to you too Renee.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 18:38
I’d give anything to tuck into a little bowl of this.. honestly.. a medium-sized bowl would be better! I hope your computer/internet troubles leave and you are back to “normal” soon! xo
By: Just A Smidgen on July 3, 2012
at 17:15
Oh dear, I enjoyed a large bowl full! I honestly hope that we are back to normal with this whole internet business tomorrow – it is incredibly frustrating! Have a lovely day Smidege.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on July 3, 2012
at 18:39
Ohhhhhh myyyyyyyy……this looks delicious!!! Wow!
By: Sarah on July 3, 2012
at 19:52
Comfort food! Luckily I have eaten supper, beacuse your pics are making me drool!
By: Zirkie on July 3, 2012
at 22:07
You are too kind Pink, thank you! Have a lovely evening.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 5, 2012
at 15:47
Nothing beats a classic like this.
By: rsmacaalay on July 4, 2012
at 08:43
I agree Raymund. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 5, 2012
at 15:48
This looks super comforting and droolworthy!
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on July 4, 2012
at 13:51
What a lovely compliment Angie, thank you! Have a happy day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 5, 2012
at 15:50
I can’t wait to try your version of mac and cheese. My husband would really love it (actually, what man doesn’t love anything with bacon).
By: Karen on July 4, 2012
at 15:43
I appreciate that you will give my recipe a try Karen. I look forward to hearing how you and your hubby enjoy it. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 5, 2012
at 15:52
You can never go wrong!
By: Savory Simple on July 7, 2012
at 00:15
Always a winner. Have a great weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 7, 2012
at 09:29
Oh my…. It’s hard to beat traditional Mac ‘n Cheese and your version is simply glistening with deliciousness!
By: Kelly @ Inspired Edibles on July 9, 2012
at 14:39
Really not sure why I don’t make this more often! Thank you for your lovely compliment Kelly! haev a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 9, 2012
at 14:48
Combining two of the most outrageously delicious things on the planet (mac and cheese and bacon) verges on the insane. In a perfectly wonderful way, of course my dear! Mmmmmmmmm.
xoxo
K
By: kathryningrid on July 24, 2012
at 04:53
Bacon is just one of those things that makes so many other things so much nicer, or even on it’s own. I have just enjoyed a bacon sandwich.
Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on July 24, 2012
at 08:58