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Bacon and Leek Macaroni Cheese

Creamy mustardy cheese sauce with smoky bacon and soft leeks.

Ingredients

• 320 g macaroni
• 200 g smoked bacon
• 450 g leeks
• 40 g butter
• 40 g plain flour
• 600 ml milk
• 200 g mature cheddar
• 1 tsp wholegrain mustard

Method

1. Heat the oven to 200C (180C fan). Chop the bacon, trim and slice the leeks, and grate the cheddar.
2. Cook the macaroni following the packet instructions, then drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, fry the bacon in a large pan over a medium-high heat for 5 minutes until crisp.
4. Add the leeks and cook for 6 minutes, stirring now and then, until soft. Tip the bacon and leeks onto a plate.
5. Melt the butter in the same pan over a medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
6. Gradually add the milk a little at a time, stirring all the time so no lumps form. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring, until thick and smooth.
7. Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the mustard and three quarters of the cheddar, then mix in the macaroni, bacon and leeks. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
8. Tip into an ovenproof dish and scatter over the rest of the cheddar. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden and bubbling.