Brussels Sprouts, Bacon & Chestnuts Macaroni Cheese
Brussels Sprouts, Bacon & Chestnuts Macaroni Cheese is a proper seasonal comfort food dish! Loved by all, even avid sprouts haters! Perfect for cold winter nights.
Servings 6 people
Calories 612kcal
Ingredients
- 300 g macaroni pasta or your favourite pasta shapes
- 300 g brussel sprouts tougher, outer leaves removed, shredded or sliced very thinly
- 90 g pack smoked bacon or pancetta
- 100 g cooked chestnuts chopped
- 40 g unsalted butter
- 40 g plain flour
- 600 ml full fat milk
- 200 g mature cheddar
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder optional
- salt, pepper, olive oil
Crispy topping
- 30 g breadcrumbs
- 30 g grated parmesan
- handful cooked and chopped chestnuts optional
Instructions
- Prepare your brussels sprouts and chestnuts as per instructions above.
- Boil large pan of salted water and cook pasta according to packet instructions or couple of minutes less for more al dente version (it will cook some more in the oven). Drain and set aside.
- While your pasta is cooking pour a small glug of oil into large frying or casserole style pan and add smoked bacon or pancetta together with shredded brussels sprouts. Fry until sprouts start to soften for approx 8-10 min. Add chopped chestnuts and set aside.
- To prepare your cheese sauce, in a medium saucepan melt butter on a low heat and add flour mixing vigorously until you get paste like consistency (roux). Add milk and mustard powder and mix gently over low heat until mixture starts to thicken. Next add grated cheddar cheese and mix it in. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked macaroni to the sprouts, bacon and chestnuts mixture and follow with the cheese sauce. Mix well.
- Prepare your crispy topping by mixing together some breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese. You can also add some more chopped chestnuts if you wish.
- Transfer your macaroni into large baking dish and sprinkle over breadcrumbs parmesan mix. Bake in the preheated oven at 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 for approximately 20-30 min until hot and golden on top.
- Serve with some green salad or seasonal vegetables. Enjoy!
Notes
- Calories are approximate, per portion and as guidance only.
Nutrition
Serving: 0g | Calories: 612kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1085IU | Vitamin C: 49.2mg | Calcium: 453mg | Iron: 2.4mg