Brie, Bacon and Cranberry Pasta Bake

Name: Brie, Bacon and Cranberry Pasta Bake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 400 g smoked lardons; 2 shallots, diced; 1 tsp. garlic paste; 20 g salted butter; 40 g plain flour; 400 mL milk; 250 g pasta (any shape of your choice); 1 salt; 1 1/2 tsp. pepper; 150 g grated cheddar; 230 g brie, sliced (rind removed if preferred); 8 tbsp. cranberry sauce; 100 g croutons; 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves

By Sophie AnglissPublished: 02 December 2020

Jump to recipe

This brie pasta bake is like Christmas in a bowl - the perfect festive dinner if you're just SICK of turkey.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Yields:

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Ingredients

400 g
smoked lardons
2
shallots, diced
1 tsp.
garlic paste
20 g
salted butter
40 g
plain flour
400 ml
milk
250 g
pasta (any shape of your choice)
1
salt
1 1/2 tsp.
pepper
150 g
grated cheddar
230 g
brie, sliced (rind removed if preferred)
8 Tbsp.
cranberry sauce
100 g
croutons
1 Tbsp.
fresh thyme leaves

Directions

1. Step 1Pre-heat oven 190ºC (170ºC Fan).
2. Step 2In a frying pan over medium-heat, cook the lardons, shallots and garlic, until lardons are cooked and slightly crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Step 3In the same pan, without wiping out any of the lardon fat, make a roux for your béchamel. Melt the butter, then add the flour and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and to stop it from catching.
4. Step 4Add 400ml water, pasta and seasoning and bring to a boil. Once the pasta is al dente, about 8minutes, remove from heat and add the cheddar.
5. Step 5Stir in 2/3 of the lardon mix and pour into a deep casserole dish. Bake in oven for about 20 mins.
6. Step 6Remove from oven and turn up heat to 200ºC (180ºC Fan). Lay slices of brie on top of the pasta, sprinkle over the rest of the lardons, dot over cranberry sauce and scatter over croutons.
7. Step 7Place back in the for 3-5mins. Serve with a sprinkle of thyme on top.