Happy Choose Day, my beautiful family! First things first… thank you for choosing me, just as I choose you, and most importantly, as our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen us. Amen! Now that I’m finally here, we can officially kick off our daily food meeting. But before we get carried away thinking about what’s on the menu, I just want to say this: please stay safe today. We all know what’s happening across South Africa, and the last thing we want is to hear that any of our family members got hurt. So wherever you are going, be extra careful, stay alert, and look after yourselves, okay? Alright, serious moment over… now let’s get to the fun part! Today’s main character is Smoky Bacon & Creamy Macaroni Bake. I woke up this morning with one thing on my mind… macaroni! And then I thought, “Hold on… when was the last time we actually made macaroni in this house?” Exactly! It’s been way too long. So today we are fixing that with a cheesy dish that’s guaranteed to make our tummies very happy. Now let me show you exactly how to make this delicious recipe. How to make Smoky Bacon & Creamy Macaroni Bake Ingredients: 250 g macaroni 200 g bacon, chopped into bite-sized pieces 1 small onion, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp cooking oil 1 cup fresh cream (or cooking cream) ½ cup milk 1 cup grated cheddar cheese ¼ cup grated mozzarella (optional, for extra stretch) 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp black pepper ½ tsp mixed herbs Salt (only if needed, since bacon is already salty) Chopped parsley or spring onions for garnish Method: Cook the macaroni until just al dente. Drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the bacon until crispy. Remove a small handful for topping later. Add the butter to the same pan, then sauté the onion until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Pour in the cream and milk, then season with smoked paprika, black pepper, and mixed herbs. Stir in most of the cheddar cheese until melted into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add the cooked macaroni and the crispy bacon back into the sauce. Mix until every piece of pasta is coated. Transfer to an ovenproof dish, sprinkle the remaining cheddar, mozzarella, and the reserved crispy bacon on top. Bake at 180°C for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Garnish with chopped parsley or spring onions before serving. Serve with: Garlic bread A fresh green salad Coleslaw Grilled corn on the cob HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?: Today’s Tasty Pick: Creamy Garlic Beef & Potato Skillet Post navigation Today’s Tasty Pick: Creamy Garlic Beef & Potato Skillet Today’s Tasty Pick: Chicken and Egg Pot Pies
