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Macaroni Bake – Like a Warm Hug

There’s nothing quite like the warm, nostalgic hug of a good old-fashioned macaroni bake, and this version is a total family pleaser. Rich, creamy, and loaded with flavour, it’s the perfect dish for cosy nights, family dinners, or when you just need something hearty and satisfying.

This comfort food classic starts with a silky base made from tomato soup, I always reach for Heinz, but any brand will do the trick. Add in a few tins of milk, some finely diced onion for sweetness, and plenty of crispy chopped bacon to give it that irresistible smoky depth. Stir through mountains of gooey melted cheese, and you’ve got a sauce that clings beautifully to every curve of the macaroni.

Boil your pasta until just al dente, toss it all together in a big dish, and bake until golden and bubbling. The top gets that gorgeous cheesy crust while the inside stays creamy and rich. It’s the kind of dish that smells like home and tastes like a hug.

Make a big batch, it’s even better the next day, if there’s any left! lol

 

Macaroni Bake (Comfort Food Style)

Ingredients:

  • 3 × 420g tins of Tomato Soup (Heinz is my go to but any will do)
  • 2 small Onions, diced
  • 3 half-filled soup tins of Milk
  • 5 Rashers of Bacon, chopped (feel free to use more!)
  • 1–2 cups of Grated Cheese (cheddar works great)
  • 1½ bags of Macaroni Pasta (about 600–750g)

 

Instructions:

  1. Cook the Pasta:
    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
    • Add macaroni and cook until just tender (al dente). Drain well.
  2. Cook the Bacon & Onions:
    • In a large pan, melt a bit of butter (instead of oil).
    • Add chopped bacon and diced onions.
    • Cook until the bacon is crispy and onions are soft. Set aside, don’t discard the buttery pan juices!
  3. Make the Sauce:
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine:
      • Tomato soup
      • Milk (3 half-filled soup tins)
      • Grated cheese
    • Stir until well mixed.
    • Add the cooked bacon, onions, and any butter from the pan into the mixture. Mix again.
  4. Combine Everything:
    • Add the drained pasta to the sauce mixture.
    • Stir to coat the pasta thoroughly.
  5. Bake:
    • Pour everything into an ovenproof baking dish.
    • Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 30 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top.
    • Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving, it helps it set and enhances the flavour.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve with some garlic bread or even a slow cooked piece of beef.

Macaroni Bake
Print

Macaroni Bake

Servings

10

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

There’s nothing quite like the warm, nostalgic hug of a good old-fashioned macaroni bake, and this version is a total family pleaser. Rich, creamy, and loaded with flavour, it’s the perfect dish for cosy nights, family dinners, or when you just need something hearty and satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 3 × 420g tins of Tomato Soup (Heinz is my go to but any will do)

  • 2 small onions, diced

  • 3 half-filled soup tins of Milk

  • 5 Rashers of Bacon, chopped (feel free to use more!)

  • 1–2 cups of Grated Cheese or measure with your heart (cheddar works great)

  • 1½ bags of Macaroni Pasta (about 600–750g)

Directions

  • Cook the Pasta
    * Bring a large pot of water to a boil
    * Add macaroni and cook until just tender (al dente). Drain well
  • Cook the Bacon & Onions
    *  In a large pan, melt a bit of butter (instead of oil)
    * Add chopped bacon and diced onions
    * Cook until the bacon is crispy and onions are soft. Set aside - don’t discard the buttery pan juices!
  • Make the Sauce
    * In a large mixing bowl, combine: Tomato soup
    * Milk (3 half-filled soup tins)
    *Grated cheese
    * Stir until well mixed
    * Add the cooked bacon, onions, and any butter from the pan into the mixture. Mix again
  • Combine Everything
    * Add the drained pasta to the sauce mixture
    * Stir to coat the pasta thoroughly
  • Bake
    * Pour everything into an ovenproof baking dish
    * Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 40 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top
    * Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving — it helps it set and enhances the flavor

Notes

  • Serve with some garlic bread or even a marinated piece of beef.

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