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    Home » Pasta recipes

    By Emily Leary. Last updated Feb 15, 2022. Green links are Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Chicken and bacon mac and cheese

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    Short on time with a hungry family to feed? Try this festive chicken and bacon mac and cheese topped with a gorgeous garlic crumb, enriched with cranberries and walnuts.

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate. A hand holding on a fork digs into the pasta. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side.

    Long-time readers will know that I'm a big fan of Primula and I love cooking with it, especially at Christmas.

    For the uninitiated, Primula has been a leading family food brand for 95 years, and it's most famous for its squeezy cheese tubes.

    Primula combines delicious cheese with real, tasty ingredients so it's super convenient and yummy. Primula's core range consists of Original Cheese, Cheese ‘n’ Chives, Cheese ‘n’ Ham, Cheese ‘n’ Prawns, Cheese ‘n’ Jalapeños, Cheese ‘n’ Paprika and Light Cheese. It also has a range of tubs and dips.

    Four tubes of Primula Original Cheese.

    A quick squeeze of Primula Cheese can transform your meal in a matter of minutes. In the gorgeous chicken and bacon macaroni and cheese recipe, it's Primula Original Cheese that melts perfectly into the easy cheese sauce to make it smooth, creamy and delicious.

    Ingredients

    For the filling

    • 500 g (1.1 lb) macaroni
    • 1 tsp salted butter
    • 150 g (5.3 oz) bacon lardons
    • 2 cooked/roasted chicken breasts sliced
    • Pinch salt and black pepper

    For the sauce

    • 900 ml (1.9 pint) whole milk
    • 100 g (3.5 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
    • 50 g (1.8 oz) salted butter
    • 300 g (10.6 oz) Primula Original Cheese (2 tubes)
    • Pinch salt and black pepper

    For the crumb topping

    • 100 g (3.5 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
    • 30 g (1.1 oz) dried cranberries roughly chopped
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) walnuts roughly chopped
    • 1/4 tsp garlic granules
    • 1 tsp dried sage
    • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • Olive oil

    Equipment

    • Weighing scales
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring jug
    • Chopping board
    • Kitchen knife
    • Large saucepan
    • Nonstick frying pan
    • Wooden spoon
    • Kitchen paper
    • Large roasting pan 40x28cm (16x11")
    • Whisk

    Instructions

    To prepare the filling

    Put the macaroni in a large pan of boiling salted water and cook for 8 minutes, then drain.

    Put the butter in a pan over a medium heat.

    A pan containing a little bit of butter. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.
    A pan containing a little melted butter. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Add the bacon and fry for a couple of minutes until cooked through.

    A pan containing a little melted butter and raw chopped bacon. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.
    A pan containing cooked chopped bacon. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Add the sliced chicken and a good pinch of salt and pepper.

    A pan containing cooked chopped bacon, cooked sliced chicken and black pepper. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Fry for a couple of minutes until golden.

    A pan containing cooked chopped bacon, chicken and black pepper, mixed together. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Tip onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain off any excess fat.

    For the sauce

    Put the milk, butter and flour in a pan with a pinch of salt and pepper.

    A pan containing milk, flour, butter and black pepper. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Whisk over a low heat until it thickens.

    A pan containing a white sauce. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Taste to make sure the flour has cooked out, then add the Primula.

    A pan containing a white sauce. Primula cheese is on top. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Whisk through. It will melt easily into the sauce. Season if necessary and set aside to cool.

    A pan containing a cheese sauce. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Tip the cooked and drained macaroni into a large greased roasting dish.

    A large roasting pan filled with cooked macaroni pasta. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Top with the chicken and bacon.

    A large roasting pan filled with cooked macaroni pasta, topped with cooked chicken and bacon. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    Pour the sauce on top and mix through.

    A large roasting pan filled with cooked macaroni pasta, topped with cooked chicken and bacon. Cheese sauce is poured over the top. The ingredients to make chicken and bacon mac and cheese surround the pan.

    To make the crumb

    In a bowl, combine the fresh white breadcrumbs, cranberries, walnuts, garlic granules, dried sage, black pepper and salt.

    A large roasting pan filled with chicken and bacon mac and cheese. A hand holds a plate above the pan, with breadcrumbs, dried cranberries, walnuts, garlic granules, dried sage, salt and pepper.

    Sprinkle the crumb evenly over the macaroni.

    A large roasting pan filled with chicken and bacon mac and cheese, topped with a crumb made from breadcrumbs, dried cranberries, walnuts, garlic granules, dried sage, salt and pepper.

    Drizzle all over with olive oil.

    A large roasting pan filled with chicken and bacon mac and cheese, topped with a crumb made from breadcrumbs and drizzled with olive oil.

    220C (200C fan) for 10-15 minutes until golden on top.

    A large roasting pan filled with freshly baked chicken and bacon mac and cheese.

    Enjoy!

    Extra tips for the perfect chicken and bacon macaroni cheese

    Can I make this chicken and bacon macaroni cheese vegetarian

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate with a fork. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side.

    Yes, you can make this recipe into a meat-free "chicken and bacon" macaroni cheese, simply by using something like Quorn or soya chicken-style fillets and Quorn or soya bacon in place of the meat.

    Primula Original is already suitable for vegetarians, as are the other ingredients in this recipe.

    How can I avoid my stodgy macaroni cheese?

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate. A fork delves into the pasta. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side.

    Macaroni and cheese bake usually becomes stodgy if the pasta is overcooked before it's added to the dish. Cook for no more than 8 minutes and then drain to ensure it will still have some bite when it comes out of the oven.

    Another cause of stodgy macaroni cheese is making a sauce that is too thick. Make sure to use the correct quantities of flour, butter, milk and cheese and don't overcook it - stop heating as soon as the flour taste has gone from the sauce.

    Can I use other fillings in the festive macaroni cheese?

    Collage of images showing the making of chicken and bacon mac and cheese. Caption reads: festive chicken & bacon mac & cheese - quick recipe - step-by-step guide.

    Yes! You could swap out bacon and chicken for any other festive fillings you fancy.

    How about some roast turkey or goose? You could even add some cranberry sauce or sage and onion stuffing leftover from Christmas dinner. All would be delicious.

    Do I have to cook the meat before adding it to the mac and cheese?

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate with a fork digging in. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side. Caption reads: festive chicken & bacon mac & cheese

    Yes, it's very important that you cook the chicken and bacon (or any other meats you're using) fully before you stir them into the macaroni cheese.

    Your dish only bakes for 10-15 minutes in the oven, so putting the meat in raw would risk food poisoning - and it without being fried off, it wouldn't taste as good either.

    Can this chicken and bacon mac be made in advance?

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate with a fork. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side. Caption reads: festive chicken & bacon mac & cheese

    Yes, you could make this mac and cheese up, including adding the crumb topping and then store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

    Alternatively, you can freeze this mac and cheese before or after baking. See the information below for advice on how to do this safely.

    Can this chicken and bacon mac and cheese be frozen before it is baked?

    Yes, you can assemble your mac and cheese in a freezer and oven safe tray (such as a foil tray) and place a suitable, airtight lid on top.

    Freeze, then bake from frozen. I have not tested how long it would take to cook this recipe from frozen, but expect to add at least another 15 minutes.

    Use a thermometer poked into the dish in several places to ensure the dish is safely heated to 75C (65F) all the way through.

    Can this chicken and bacon mac and cheese be frozen after baking?

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate with a fork. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side. Caption reads: step-by-step recipe chicken & bacon mac & cheese

    Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Pop it into a freezer-safe container as soon as it has cooled, seal and place in the freezer.

    Make sure to reheat fully - it will take at least an extra 15 minutes. Use a thermometer poked into the dish in several places to ensure the dish is safely heated to 75C (65F) all the way through.

    Can mac and cheese be left out overnight?

    No, you should not leave this chicken and bacon mac and cheese out overnight.

    As it contains both dairy and meat, it's very important that you place leftovers in the fridge asap after cooling.

    Is this mac and cheese recipe gluten-free?

    This recipe is not gluten-free as it contains wheat flour as well as durum wheat pasta.

    However, if you wanted to make this recipe gluten-free, you could use gluten-free macaroni and a gluten-free flour in the sauce. Primula Original Cheese is already gluten-free.

    Make sure to check the packaging on all the other ingredients to be sure they are safe for a gluten-free diet.

    Where was macaroni and cheese invented?

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate with a fork. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side. Caption reads: chicken & bacon mac & cheese step-by-step recipe

    Pasta in sauce is, of course, traditionally thought of as an Italian invention and there are records of mac and cheese recipes going back as far as the late thirteenth century in southern Italy.

    However, mac and cheese as we know it today - macaroni pasta in a cheese sauce - is thought to be an English invention, appearing in English cookbooks from 1770.

    And of course, it has long been popular in the USA - long enough, in fact, to be thought of as something of a national treasure. A recipe called "macaroni and cheese" appeared in the cookbook The Virginia Housewife way back in 1824.

    What is macaroni and cheese good with?

    A portion of chicken and bacon mac and cheese served on a small white plate with a fork. A tray containing more of the pasta is shown to one side. Caption reads: step-by-step recipe chicken & bacon mac & cheese easy and delicious

    I'd recommend serving this chicken and bacon mac and cheese recipe with plenty of green veg, such as wilted spinach, steamed broccoli or green beans.

    It would also be wonderful with a fresh, crunchy salad.

    Print this festive chicken and bacon macaroni cheese

    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Chicken and Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe

    A festive chicken and bacon mac and cheese topped with a gorgeous garlic crumb, enriched with cranberries and walnuts.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Pasta meals
    Cuisine: British, Italian
    Servings: 8 servings
    Author: Emily Leary

    Ingredients

    For the filling

    • 500 g (1.1 lb) macaroni
    • 1 tsp salted butter
    • 150 g (5.3 oz) bacon lardons
    • 2 cooked/roasted chicken breasts sliced
    • Pinch salt and black pepper

    For the sauce

    • 900 ml (1.9 pint) whole milk
    • 100 g (3.5 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
    • 50 g (1.8 oz) salted butter
    • 300 g (10.6 oz) Primula Original Cheese (2 tubes)
    • Pinch salt and black pepper

    For the crumb topping

    • 100 g (3.5 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
    • 30 g (1.1 oz) dried cranberries roughly chopped
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) walnuts roughly chopped
    • 1/4 tsp garlic granules
    • 1 tsp dried sage
    • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • Olive oil

    Equipment

    • Weighing scales
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring jug
    • Chopping board
    • Kitchen knife
    • Large saucepan
    • Nonstick frying pan
    • Wooden spoon
    • Kitchen paper
    • Large roasting pan 40x28cm (16x11")
    • Whisk

    Instructions

    To make the filling

    • Put the macaroni in a large pan of boiling salted water and cook for 8 minutes, then drain.
    • Put the butter in a pan over a medium heat.
    • Add the bacon and fry for a couple of minutes until cooked through.
    • Add the sliced chicken and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
    • Fry for a couple of minutes until golden.
    • Tip onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain off any excess fat.

    To make the sauce

    • Put the milk, butter and flour in a pan with a pinch of salt and pepper.
    • Whisk over a low heat until it thickens.
    • Taste to make sure the flour has cooked out, then add the Primula.
    • Whisk through. It will melt easily into the sauce. Season if necessary and set aside to cool.
    • Tip the cooked and drained macaroni into a large greased roasting dish.
    • Top with the chicken and bacon.
    • Pour the sauce on top and mix through.

    To make the crumb

    • In a bowl, combine the fresh white breadcrumbs, cranberries, walnuts, garlic granules, dried sage, black pepper and salt.
    • Sprinkle the crumb evenly over the macaroni.
    • Drizzle all over with olive oil.
    • 220C (200C fan) for 10-15 minutes until golden on top.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 763kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 542mg | Potassium: 544mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 874IU | Calcium: 214mg | Iron: 3mg
    * Note: nutritional information is estimated, based on publicly available data. Nutrient values may vary from those published. Information on this website should not be taken as medical advice. Cuisines identify the primary region of inspiration for a dish.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @amummytoo on Instagram or tag @EmilyLearyCooks on Twitter. I can't wait to see your posts!

    This is a commissioned post for Primula

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      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    1. Claire Rocks says

      January 09, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      This looks like a great twist on the traditional mac and cheese. I'll give it try with my boys.

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        January 09, 2020 at 10:39 pm

        Yay! Send me a pic if you do!

        Reply

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