Cheesey, bacon and mushroom pasta bake

A quick, easy, budget friendly and satisfying family meal. 

Ingredients

50 grams butter

1 onion finely chopped

3 or 4 large mushrooms finely chopped

3 rashers bacon diced

1/4 cup plain flour

2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs

1 packet pasta (penne or spirals work well)

1 cup grated cheese (edam or mozzarella)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan 

Mix the two cheeses together

Method

Pre heat the oven to 200C

Put a large pot of water on to boil for the pasta. 

Cook pasta once water is at a rolling boil - drain about 2 minutes before the packet instructions say as the pasta will cook further in the oven. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and mix back through drained pasta with a good slug of olive oil  and some freshly ground pepper. Put aside until sauce is ready. 

For the sauce 

Place a large pan over a medium heat add butter, onion, mushroom and bacon and cook until onions are well softened. About 5 minutes. 

Add flour and stir into the butter continue cooking for another 2 minutes to ensure the floury taste will be cooked out. 

Add herbs, salt and pepper and nutmeg

Remove from the heat 

Add milk and stir to combine. Place back over heat and stir constantly until the sauce is smooth add 1 cup of cheese and continue cooking and stirring until the sauce bubbles from the bottom. 

Mix the pasta with the sauce

Place in an oven proof dish and top with the remaining grated cheese. Some paprika sprinkled on top will help with a nicely browned finish. 

Place in the centre of the oven and bake until golden and bubbling. 

Enjoy :-)