Ranch Mac & Cheese with Bacon

Ingredients

250 g dried macaroni
50 g unsalted butter
6 smoked back bacon rashers, chopped
50g plain flour
600 ml milk
½ teaspoon mustard powder
100 ml Newman’s Own Ranch Dressing
150 g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
2 small bunches vine cherry tomatoes

Method

Preheat the oven to 190ºCº, Gas Mark 5. Cook the macaroni in a pan of lightly salted boiling water according to pack instructions, for about 10 minutes. Drain and return to the pan to keep warm.

Meanwhile melt the butter in a large pan, add the bacon and cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes or until the bacon is coloured. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

Gradually stir in the milk, and stir over a medium heat, until the sauce starts to thicken. Stir in the mustard powder and most of cheese, reserving a little for the top. Stir until the cheese has melted, stir in the Ranch Dressing and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Stir the drained macaroni into the sauce, then transfer to an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and place the tomatoes on top. Cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbling.