Warm and comforting cheesy pasta bake

Warm, cheesy and comforting… This recipe is for all the cheese lovers out there! Tuck in with a generous bowl of this pasta bake for the ultimate guilty pleasure. Filled with two types of cheese and a dollop of butter for good measure, this dish is sure to get your tastebuds tingling. The top is finished with breadcrumbs, butter and parsley for a lovely and delicious crust. Dig in!

Ingredients

• 200g macaroni, shell or spiral pasta
• 2 strips rindless bacon, diced, (optional)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons plain flour
• 2 cups milk
• 230g cream cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

*If using bacon; heat a frying pan over a medium heat and cook bacon until lightly browned and crispy. Set aside.

2. Heat a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour. Cook for about 1 minute, until smooth and bubbly; stirring occasionally. Mix in milk, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard. Continue cooking until sauce is thickened. Add cooked pasta, Cheddar cheese and bacon.

3. Pour into a medium casserole dish. In small bowl mix together bread crumbs, butter and parsley; spread over pasta. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and heated through.