Mac & Cheese with Bacon and Breadcrumbs

Method

1. Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water for 6 minutes (the remaining 2 minutes will be cooked in the sauce). Drain and set aside to cool once cooked.
2. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees celsius.
3. Using a small pan with a tiny splash of olive oil, add bacon and cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes until bacon is beginning to crisp and cauliflower has softened. Set aside.
4. In a large pot, add butter and melt over medium heat.
5. Once melted, add flour and whisk, then add 250ml of milk and continue to mix. Ensure the flour dissolves into the milk.
6. Add the remaining 500ml of milk to the pot in small increments and continue to whisk until lump free.
7. Add salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder and fresh parsley. Stir through.
8. Stir for 8-10 minutes until the milk has thickened to a cream-like consistency. A way to check this is, coat a spoon in the mixture and using the back of the spoon, you should be able to draw a thick pathway with your finger.
9. Remove from the stove and add the bacon and cauliflower mix, top with three cheeses and mix through.
10. Add the cooked macaroni pasta into the pot and stir through, ensuring to coat well.
11. Top with panko crumbs and bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until the top is lightly golden brown.
12. Serve and enjoy with family and friends.