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Bacon and apple mac and cheese at its best with slices of apple and a creamy sauce and hidden veggies
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5 from 5 votes

Secretly healthy apple mac and cheese

Delicious and creamy baked apple mac and cheese, made with sweet Pink Lady Apples, tangy Gruyere cheese, smoky bacon and a dash of nutmeg. We’ve even included spinach! Our recipe also has smaller amounts of cheese than traditional mac and cheese, making it that little bit lighter.
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 small bowls
Author Mas & Pas

Ingredients

Bacon and apple mac and cheese

  • 77 grams bacon chopped up or pancetta cubes
  • 2 cups uncooked elbow or tubular pasta about 160 grams
  • 2 tbsp butter 30 grams
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 1 pink lady apple chopped (skin on)
  • 1 handful spinach chopped (40 grams)
  • 5 cups milk
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese grated

Topping

  • 3 tbsp Gruyère cheese grated
  • Parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180℃.
  • Cook the macaroni according to package directions in salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.
  • In a separate frying pan, cook the bacon pieces or pancetta cubes until crispy and golden. Set aside.
  • Take a large saucepan and heat the butter. Add in the chopped onion and apple and sear for a few minutes.
  • Stir in the flour and slowly pour in the milk, a bit at a time, constantly stirring to stop lumps appearing. Add the salt and nutmeg.
  • Bring the mixture to the boil for a few minutes, then take off the heat.
  • Immediately stir in 1 cup of grated Gruyere cheese.
  • Stir in the chopped spinach and the cooked pasta.
  • Finally, add the cooked bacon pieces or pancetta cubes.
  • Empty the mixture into a greased oven dish.
  • Sprinkle 3 further tablespoons of grated cheese over the top and cook in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden.
  • Sprinkle with parsley to serve. Enjoy!