The dreary winter weather with its biting cold and dark skies often calls for comfort food that warms the heart and soul. If you’re on the lookout for a dish to get you through the chilly months, Nathan Anthony from Bored of Lunch has just the thing – and his slow cooker recipe is causing quite a stir.
He took to TikTok recently to share this must-try recipe: Bacon mac and cheese. Yes, it’s confirmed that pasta can indeed be cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
For those seeking culinary inspiration or desiring a dish that requires minimal effort, look no further. Nathan described the dish: “It’s creamy and it’s pure comfort food.”
And if you’re apprehensive about the richness of the dish, not to worry. Nathan suggests incorporating secret ingredients like butternut squash or sweet potatoes, blending them into a sauce for an added natural sweetness and complexity.
Nathan couldn’t help but refer to his concoction as “slow cooker heaven”. The video has since racked up over 363,200 views and attracted countless compliments for being a stellar winter dish, reports the Mirror.
Katie exclaimed: “Wow that looks immense and feels healthier with the squash.”
Echoing that sentiment, Olivia remarked: “Love that there’s squash in there,” and Abeygale chimed in: “Looks absolutely incredible.”
To cook up this warming creation yourself, here’s what you need.
Slow cooker bacon mac & cheese recipe
Ingredients
- 500g frozen butternut squash or other veg
- 350g macaroni pasta
- 250ml vegetable stock
- 8-10 rashers of cooked smoked bacon, finely sliced
- 750ml of skimmed milk
- 200g reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp English mustard
- 1 tbsp garlic puree
- 30-50g breadcrumbs
Method
Place the frozen butternut squash – or veg of your choice – in the slow cooker with 250ml of vegetable stock, plus a seasoning of salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables for two hours on high.
Once cooked, blitz the vegetables until smooth. Add in the macaroni pasta, cooked bacon, milk, mustard and garlic puree, giving it a good mix.
Again, cook on high for another hour. Once done, add in the grated cheese and stir.
Then top with some more cheese, and some breadcrumbs and pop in the oven for ten minutes or until nice and crispy.
Serve and enjoy!