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cooking up a storm at the edge of the world

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Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon, Leeks and Peas

Published on November 11, 2016 • Last updated October 6, 2020 by Elizabeth
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Our family favourite comfort food recipe – this macaroni & cheese recipe is quick and easy to make and comes with an optional crispy topping. In collaboration with Scottish Widows.

Make ahead macaroni & cheese with bacon, leeks and peas.

Making the best of your time

What could you do in an hour?

Lately I am finding that there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to do everything I need (or want) to do. Things need to be prioritised and other things, which might not seem that important right now but will be in the future, get pushed to the back of the pile.

I have teamed up with Scottish Widows who have been exploring the concept of time and how we can make the very most of the time we’ve got. This has got me thinking about the little things that I do at home that help me save time, and the time I take out of each day for myself to recharge and try to regain some balance in an increasingly hectic world.

Scottish Widows research

Scottish Widows has commissioned research exploring how people spend, and waste, their time, and what activities they think are valuable.

Did you know, that on average, every Brit wastes 80 minutes of every day on activities that they admit are a waste of their time? This adds up to 21 days in a year! The average Brit spends over two hours a day on social media and browsing the internet, and the top ways in which we are wasting our time are: deciding what to wear (46%); losing the car in the carpark (41%), online window shopping for clothes they can’t afford (23%), rifling through one’s handbag (35%) and watching animal videos online (17%).

Three cheese macaroni & cheese with bacon, leeks and peas

As a self-employed stay at home mother and wife most of the family cooking is left to me – since I’m here, in my kitchen office, all day every day anyway.

As much as I love cooking I don’t want to spend ages standing over a hot cooker, so, for many of our regular family favourite comfort food recipes I’ve created some food hacks around them to save time and money. Things I can make in advance and then have a bit of spare time for a bike ride, or a brisk hill walk.

Here are my food hacks for maximising just one hour: the time it takes to make dinner and what I do, for me time, while that dinner is baking in the oven.

Three cheese macaroni & cheese with bacon, leeks and peas

Food hack #1 – Shop local

Shop local. Your food will taste better because of it, you will be directly supporting your friends and neighbours and therefore the local economy, and with lower food miles you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.

It also saves time to use your local village or corner shop instead of driving to a supermarket.

I make my family favourite macaroni and cheese with as much local produce as I can cram into it – organic veg box leeks, Shetland milk, smoked back bacon from the Anderson butchers, bread from the Quernstone Bakery and cheddar cheese from Orkney, our nearest island neighbours to the south.

Macaroni & Cheese - local ingredients

In all honesty this recipe varies depending on what kind of ingredients I can get at my local village shop, and as luck should have it this week they had a gorgeous new triple smoked cheddar cheese, but any smoked cheddar will work. I’m quite fond of Applewood too, if I can’t get Orkney cheese.

Food hack #2 – use your freezer

Freeze any leftover bacon right away instead of storing it in the fridge (and then, if you’re like me, promptly forgetting about it), and just chop off what you need for recipes from frozen. This doesn’t work if you’re wanting bacon with your fry up, but freezer bacon is perfect if you’re wanting a little bacon in a pasta dish, or fried with some steamed Brussels sprouts, etc.

Freeze leftover bacon and chop off just what you need, frying from frozen.
Make your own breadcrumbs and freeze for later!

Food hack #3 – avoid waste

Make your own fresh breadcrumbs. I’ve got a mini handheld food processor which makes short work out of a loaf of stale bread (gone stale, say, because you completely forgot to collect your veg box containing said loaf from the drop-off point until two days later). Pop the bread crumbs into a bag or plastic container and freeze until needed. Alternatively, you could lay them out on a baking tray and leave them to air dry for a day or two and then store in an empty jam jar.

Food hack #4 – multitask!

To save even more time, before you start preparing this recipe put a tray of frozen chunky oven chips on to cook. By the time you’ve got to the melted cheese stage, the oven chips will be ready and crying out to be dunked in a gorgeous big bowl of oozy macaroni and cheese, sitting on the couch, of course, in front of the telly.

Three cheese macaroni & cheese with bacon, leeks and peas

If you’re wanting a crispy topping though, it takes only a matter of seconds to whip up, especially if you’ve got frozen bread crumbs. Just grab a handful from the freezer, mix with some cheese and melted butter, sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese and pop into the oven. To save even more time (and washing up) omit the melted butter and just dot the top with little bits of butter.

Food hack #5 – sometimes shop bought is ok

Five to ten minutes before the macaroni and cheese is ready, transfer it to the bottom rack in the oven and heat up some ready-made frozen garlic toasts on the rack above it!

Garlic toast in the oven above macaroni and cheese

While the macaroni and cheese is baking away in the oven you’ve got a full thirty minutes (you could stretch it to forty without any ill effects too!) to do what you want. Time for you!

Watch the video below to see what I did when my mac n’ cheese was in the oven!

The NHS recommends that adults take thirty minutes of exercise at least five days a week for optimum health benefits, and what better time to do this than when dinner is in the oven? Then you can feel all virtuous when you come back from your walk, rosy-cheeked and energetic, and feel like you’ve earned a proper plateful of ooey-gooey mac and cheese.

Three cheese macaroni & cheese with bacon, leeks and peas

Other Macaroni & Cheese food hacks

  • homemade macaroni and cheese can be frozen (before the topping is added). Defrost thoroughly before cooking.
  • cook the macaroni in advance – boil a full kettle when you have your morning cuppa and cook the pasta until al dente, drain and refrigerate
  • batch cook the cheese sauce. I often make a big batch and then freeze it into smaller portions for the kids, then all I need to do is cook pasta for dinner and serve with veg on the side.
  • leftover grated cheese can be frozen too, and store those Parmesan rinds in the freezer for use in soups later.
  • leftover macaroni cheese reheats really well on the stovetop for lunch the next day. Simply pour in a splash of milk or two and reheat over medium heat in a saucepan.
  • don’t measure the ingredients. This is one of those recipes I just make by eye every time, and it saves time on washing up.
  • make the sauce in the pan you are going to bake the macaroni dish in saving with washing up!

How do you feel you waste your time? What food hacks do you use to help save time? How do you make the most of an hour? Let me know in the comments!

Three cheese macaroni & cheese with bacon, leeks and peas

Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon, Leeks and Peas

Our family favourite comfort food recipe - quick and easy to make with an optional crispy topping.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Elizabeth

Ingredients

for the macaroni & cheese

  • 350 grams dry elbow macaroni uncooked weight
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 115 grams smoked back bacon finely diced
  • 2 leeks halved and finely sliced
  • 100 grams frozen peas
  • 30 grams butter
  • 30 grams plain flour
  • 500 ml full fat milk
  • 200 grams mature cheddar cheese grated
  • 50 grams smoked cheddar cheese grated
  • 25 grams Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

for the topping, optional

  • 75 grams fresh breadcrumbs
  • 40 grams mature cheddar cheese grated
  • 25 grams Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tbsp butter melted

Affiliate Links

This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

mini food processor
wooden spoon
frying pan
casserole dish
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 200 C/ 180 C fan.
  • Cook macaroni in boiling, salted water for two minutes less than the packet instructions suggest. Drain & set aside.
  • Heat 1 tbsp butter in a saute pan and fry the bacon until it begins to brown. Add the finely sliced leeks and cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften. Add the frozen peas, give it a stir and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter in a saucepan until melted and bubbling. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute.
  • Remove from the heat and whisk in a little of the milk until combined. Slowly stir in the remaining milk and return to the heat, stirring until thickened.
  • Remove from the heat and add the grated cheeses, mustard and cayenne. Stir well until the cheese has melted.
  • To prepare the topping mix the ingredients together and sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake, in the centre of the oven, for 30 minutes.

Video

Other recipes you might like

Lobster Macaroni & Cheese by Emily’s Recipes & Reviews
Macaroni Bake by Planet Veggie
Smoked Salmon & Leek Macaroni & Cheese by Kavey Eats
Tattie & leek soup 

This is a commissioned macaroni & cheese recipe post in collaboration with Scottish Widows. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.

Category: Carbohydrates, Pasta, Recipe, Sponsored Post

About Elizabeth

Solivagant. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

Previous Post:Our weekly top five picks #11Review: Our Weekly Top Five Picks
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debi at Life Currents

    December 17, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    This mac & cheese looks amazing! I would love to dive into all that lusciousness!

    Reply
  2. Debra C.

    December 17, 2016 at 1:21 am

    Fabulous mac ‘n cheese recipe with an amazing combination of cheeses, YUM! Love the hacks too – terrific!!

    Reply
  3. peter @Feed Your Soul Too

    December 16, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    Mac N Cheese is always a winner in our house. You have truly elevated your dish to the next level. What a nice recipe to entertain with.

    Reply
  4. Maeva (Cook A Life! by Mava)

    December 16, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Adding veggies to this mac n’ cheese is a great idea, I’d love to try it with vegetarian ham, a nice comforting dish, yum! 😀

    Reply
  5. Katie Bryson

    November 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Love a good food hack! This recipes looks and sounds divine… my boys absolutely adore macaroni cheese… I make a super quick cheese sauce in my Froothie blender, boil up some macaroni with some peas at the end, then mix it all up and pour it into a thermos for a hot packed lunch. Yum! Thanks for hooking up with this month’s round of Simple and in Season xxx

    Reply
  6. Shelley Jessup

    November 22, 2016 at 2:10 am

    What a delightful warm comfort recipe this is, bookmarking it for further use – thank you

    Reply
  7. Sarahjane

    November 19, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    I’ve recently discovered my love for mac and cheese and this looks super yummy!

    Reply
  8. Charli Bruce

    November 17, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    I love macaroni and cheese, it’s one of my favourite comfort foods – I often put bacon in mine too! I’ve also never thought about freezing bacon, I’m definitely going to do that from now on as it’s something I always tend to forget about and throw away xx

    Reply
  9. Charlotte Braithwaite

    November 17, 2016 at 11:50 am

    Oh My Goodness!
    Thanks so much for this – I want to plan cooking foods better and this will defo be on my list.
    Looks amazing, might swap the peas for corn as Hayden would freak out LOL
    Thanks again for sharing this hun
    Charlotte x

    Reply
  10. WhatLauraLoves

    November 17, 2016 at 5:37 am

    OMG this looks like the ultimate comfort food! I love mac and cheese so would like to try it! xxx

    Reply
  11. tanya brannan

    November 16, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    I love macaroni cheese and we have it frequently. I Have never thought of adding bits to it though, and love the combo of bacon and leeks, so they will definitely be going in my next batch!

    Reply
  12. La French Connection

    November 15, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    I make risotto with the same trio of ingredients too. It tastes lovely!

    Reply
  13. Susanna | Ordinality

    November 15, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    Mac&Cheese is my go-to meal! It’s easy to make, you only need a couple of pots and it freezes so well. And, well, there’s cheese.

    Love the tips! In the last few weeks I’ve tried to make an effort to shop local, and it’s a bit more effort, but I find it well worth it!

    Reply
  14. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish

    November 15, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    Now this is mac-n-cheese done right! I’m going to try it!

    Reply
  15. Christine Dodd

    November 15, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    I agree with you about the importance of shopping local – saves waste and helps the local community too

    Reply
  16. The London Mum

    November 15, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Your macaroni cheese looks amazing! I need to try this recipe out at home!

    Reply
  17. Emma

    November 15, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    My favourite Mac dish at the moment is with cauliflower and kale. I blitz up leftovers for my baby who LOVES it

    Reply
  18. Rachel

    November 15, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    This looks delicious! Its such a comforting meal to have and so simple to make.

    Reply
  19. Sue

    November 15, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Brilliant post, I’ve never thought of adding leeks to my mac and cheese, what a good idea 🙂

    I pop things in the oven and then take the dogs out for a run around our paddock …. you really feel like you’ve earned your meal after a bit of fresh air don’t you … and the dogs appreciate it too.

    Reply
  20. Joanna

    November 15, 2016 at 9:46 am

    I love macaroni and cheese love the look of this recipe a great way to get some veg into u. Some great hacks too.

    Reply
  21. Jollies and Jaunts

    November 15, 2016 at 9:34 am

    My OH would love macaroni cheese with leeks, what a great idea. I make a version with Brussels sprouts which is delicious.

    Reply
  22. Cecilia Keinapel

    November 15, 2016 at 5:06 am

    woow that looks absolutely amazing, I love macaroni and cheese! I will have to try this recipe x

    Reply
  23. Tooting Mama

    November 14, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    My kids love Mac and Cheese, this recipe looks so amazing and I just love the food photography, simply ravishing! I’m hungry again!

    Reply
  24. Sus // roughmeasures.com

    November 14, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    Shopping locally is so important to me, and it does make things easier! A good mac ‘n cheese recipe is always a winner.

    Reply
  25. nicol

    November 14, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    i’ve never thought about freezing bacon before. this mac and cheese recipe looks absolutely amazing

    Reply
  26. francesca

    November 14, 2016 at 11:02 am

    This looks incredibly mouth watering!! I love pasta so much and I find cooking in my spare time very therapeutic!!

    Reply
  27. Stephanie Merry

    November 14, 2016 at 11:01 am

    Mac and Cheese is quite possibly my favourite food ever! And love the idea of adding bacon to the mix x

    Reply
  28. Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs

    November 14, 2016 at 10:59 am

    What a perfect hearty meal for the winter months ahead. This looks amazing. We always shop local and support our local farmers too x

    Reply
  29. Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes

    November 14, 2016 at 7:38 am

    Mac and cheese must have to be the most comforting meal EVER! I love the look of this and the addition of bacon is genius.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 8:56 am

      Isn’t it! I love a big bowlful with a plate of chunky oven chips. Carb heaven! 🙂

      Reply
  30. Anosa

    November 14, 2016 at 5:55 am

    I do find myself wasting too much time on unnecessary things that at one point was important but isn’t really. When cooking I don’t like to spend too long doing it anyone why I love one pot recipes but this dish is also delicious looking

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 8:57 am

      I’m terrible for wasting time too. One pot dishes are definitely a help!

      Reply
  31. Evelina

    November 14, 2016 at 12:11 am

    Perfect winter comfort food. I wonder what I could replace bacon and leeks with?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 7:54 am

      Extra bacon and extra leeks? 😉

      Reply
  32. Rachel

    November 13, 2016 at 11:29 pm

    I was licking my lips throughout this entire post. & love a bowl of mac and cheese and I love the twist you have put on it!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:03 am

      Aw thanks Rachel! 🙂

      Reply
  33. Sarah

    November 13, 2016 at 10:26 pm

    This looks SO amazing! I must try this! It’s true, I do tend to waste a lot of time, even my OH tells me off!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:04 am

      Thanks Sarah – me too, I’m terrible for wasting time! I’ve become an expert at procrastination over the years, lol!

      Reply
  34. MELANIE EDJOURIAN

    November 13, 2016 at 9:47 pm

    Lol, great post, I too tend to lose my car in the car park. I love macaroni cheese and this looks delicious with the bacon added I make something similar using either bacon or chorizo depending on what’s in the fridge.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:06 am

      I tend to park my car as far as I possibly can away from where I need to be so I can get my FitBit steps up. The furthest corner of the supermarket carpark is usually pretty empty so it’s hard not to lose the car there. 😉 Chorizo would be a lovely spicy variation with this recipe, for sure!

      Reply
  35. Rhian Westbury

    November 13, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    Adding bacon to mac and cheese is always a great idea! Sounds like such a warm wintery meal x

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:07 am

      Thanks Rhian 🙂

      Reply
  36. Jazmin Williams

    November 13, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    This looks delicious! I’d swap the bacon with Quorn bacon as I’m vegetarian, but that’s a pretty easy swap 🙂

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:08 am

      Thanks Jazmin, that is definitely an easy swap. There’s also veggie versions of Parmesan available too!

      Reply
  37. Stella

    November 13, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    This looks so tasty. Going to try it. Hope mine is as good as yours.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:08 am

      Oh I’m sure it will be! It’s a super easy recipe to make. Let me know how you get on!

      Reply
  38. Talya

    November 13, 2016 at 7:25 pm

    What a perfect winter warmer of a dish for the colder months…comfort food at its best!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:09 am

      It sure is! 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
  39. kate

    November 13, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    The recipe is fantastic and I love the video of you popping it into the oven and then heading off on an adventure!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:11 am

      Aw thanks Kate! Making the best of the time I’ve got! I always feel better after a hillwalk.

      Reply
  40. Hannah

    November 13, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    Now this is my kind of food, how delicious x

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:12 am

      Thanks Hannah 🙂

      Reply
  41. Kavey

    November 13, 2016 at 11:51 am

    Love the idea of a make ahead version and the bacon leeks and peas look right up my street!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:24 am

      Thanks Kavey! 🙂

      Reply
  42. Leah Lander-Shafik

    November 13, 2016 at 11:45 am

    This is like Macaroni Cheese on steroids! I LOVE IT. I like when you take a classic and add tasty extras. I would love to try this as I keep dreaming of Mac N Cheese at the moment but it can be quite boring. This would be such a better tasting experience. P.S. I just love your pictures of your food, they just make my mouth water!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:25 am

      Aw thanks Leah! Your comment made me smile today, thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  43. Jordanne | Thelifeofaglasgowgirl

    November 13, 2016 at 1:18 am

    I love love love mac and cheese! I’ve never thought about adding anything else in to the recipe but I do love the sound of this one! I love the sound of bacon in it!

    Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:33 am

      I’m a big fan of mac n’cheese too. Bacon always makes everything better – so it’s a great addition!

      Reply
  44. Rachel George

    November 12, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    I do love macaroni cheese but have never actually made it myself. Your recipe sounds easy and delicious though so I will add it to my list of things to try. I do probably spend too much time online, though not watching animal videos!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:34 am

      It’s such a simple dish to make. I find tinned versions way too salty so I prefer to make my own.

      Reply
  45. Ickle Pickle

    November 12, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    I love macaroni cheese – this looks delicious. I love your hacks and will definitely use them, thank you. Kaz x

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:35 am

      Glad you like the look of it! 🙂

      Reply
  46. Colette

    November 12, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    I love mac & cheese. This sounds like a cracking variation!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 14, 2016 at 9:36 am

      Thanks Colette – it is a rather tasty version, if I do say so myself! 🙂

      Reply
  47. Urvashi Roe

    November 12, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    What a brilliant post. Full of great tips. I do a lot of these My number 1 time wasting activity is finding the blinking keys! Especially in my bag. It swallows them up I swear. Were there other people like me in this survey?? I do love a macaroni cheese. Must confess I have never made it with bacon but my girls would utterly love that. Will have to do a separate batch for them next time. Leeks and peas for me and bacon for them. I must remember your food hack about this actually. I don’t cook it as I am veggie so my husband usually eats it. I’ll keep him to chop it up and put it in the freezer next time so I can add it for the girls. genius Elizabeth. Genius. xx

    Reply
  48. Ayesha Farhad

    November 12, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    Ohh food hack #5 is perfect for me! I am having a party in a few days and i always toast garlic bread in a toaster but this is such a goo idea!

    Reply
  49. Claudia | Gourmet Project

    November 12, 2016 at 11:32 am

    I’ve never made macaroni and cheese, I was planning too, but never found good inspiritation. Then I read your post. I’m ready now! Thanks

    Reply
  50. Alana

    November 12, 2016 at 9:03 am

    I love the idea of adding bacon to macaroni cheese, I wouldn’t have thought of it.
    Your stairs are amazing by the way, I love the patterned effect – is that paint or wallpaper?
    Alana x

    Reply
  51. Just Jo

    November 12, 2016 at 8:58 am

    Oh yes please – there isn’t a mac & cheese I don’t like but your additions sound great. Anything that gives me extra time to spend with the ones I love is also a bonus.

    Reply
  52. clairejustine

    November 12, 2016 at 8:24 am

    This does look tasty. I love macaroni cheese. My husband is not a fan of white sauces so I don’t get to make it often but I love it. Need to make some now 🙂

    Reply
  53. gingey bites

    November 12, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Looks delish and the food hacks are great. Also, what a fab video! Loved it 🙂

    Reply
  54. Dahn @savor the Best

    November 12, 2016 at 6:38 am

    oh my goodness, this is comfort food!! It looks so good and I was just thinking of mac and cheese.. this was perfect timing

    Reply
  55. Kat

    November 12, 2016 at 5:26 am

    I don’t eat meat but I can easily leave out the bacon for this one! It’s making me hungry! In an hour I get a lot done. Mainly because I have to! With a toddler on the loose, his nap time means running around like a fiend doing all the stuff I can’t do when he’s awake!

    Reply
  56. Heather @Boston Girl Bakes

    November 12, 2016 at 1:21 am

    Oh man this looks so good with the bacon and the cheese and oh yes sign me up!

    Reply
  57. Camilla

    November 12, 2016 at 12:20 am

    My daughter loves he pet videos and I have to admit to wasting lots of time online! Love your Mac & Cheese which I know my hubby would like as when I make the veggie one that the kids like he always asks where the meat is!

    Reply
  58. vicky hall-newman

    November 11, 2016 at 11:29 pm

    This looks amazing! i am going to try this recipe on my 6 year old as she is such a mac cheese fan.

    Reply
  59. Kathryn Watson

    November 11, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    Macaroni cheese is my ultimate comfort food! This looks absolutely delicious xx

    Reply
  60. Sarah Bailey

    November 11, 2016 at 10:09 pm

    Ok my mouth is now watering this looks absolutely amazing – I totally need to try it out for myself.

    Reply
  61. Donna

    November 11, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    I have been craving mac and cheese throughout this whole pregnancy, so this is just perfect 🙂 Love the food hacks as well – especially shopping local! Sharing

    Reply
  62. Laura @ dearbearandbeany

    November 11, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    I never thought to freeze bacon, that is a great tip. I love adding a bit to our pasta dishes. I definitely waste far too much time trying to find things in my handbag! X

    Reply
  63. Miracle Max

    November 11, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Oh my goodness, pretty much all of my favourite things in one dish here. I definitely have to try this soon. Jo x

    Reply
  64. Taylor @ The Girl on Bloor

    November 11, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    I love all the toppings you included in this mac and cheese! I love mac and cheese but usually feel like it’s too plain or that I need a protein so your recipe certainly makes me feel better about having a little comfort food!

    Reply
  65. Dean of Little Steps

    November 11, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    T loves macaroni and cheese. I’ve never made it thoug with bacon, leeks and peas, so I’d be really interested to try this one out. It’s such a winter recipe isn’t it? Love it!

    Reply
  66. evi

    November 11, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    This mac and cheese looks to die for!

    Reply
  67. Fiona Saluk

    November 11, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    I was about to say that I was excited to see leeks in a recipe because you never see them here in the States and then I realized that you’re from the Shetland Islands so no wonder you thought of leeks! This looks hearty and delicious!

    Reply
  68. Tina Dawson| Love is in my tummy

    November 11, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    This post was a PLEASURE to read! Such a perfectly organized mac n cheese experience like I’ve never seen before. I totally agree with buying local and using the oven time to do multiple things at once. My husband hates cooking because he is somewhat disoriented in the kitchen – organizing things to do in an optimal way surely makes the whole thing more simpler, faster and better!

    Reply
  69. sue | theviewfromgreatisland

    November 11, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    I;m making mac & cheese today — what a wonderful inspiration, and I love all the hacks!

    Reply
  70. Milly Y

    November 11, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    I love mac and cheese so this is making me drool everywhere! I always pop bacon in mine, and garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment (carb heaven!!). I love the idea of getting in a quick bit of exercise while dinner’s cooking – definitely helps work up an appetite too!

    Reply
  71. GALINA V

    November 11, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    What a delicious looking mac’n’cheese and good tips too. I have never thought of freezing bacon. I now really fancy some macaroni cheese.

    Reply
  72. LaaLaa

    November 11, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Such a good insight into how much time we waste, preparation always makes things easier too! Who doesn’t love mac and cheese, I’d of course opt out the real bacon and put replacement but you’ve just got me wanting garlic bread also.

    Reply
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