Bacon Crusted Cheese & Spinach Penne Bake

When boiling, add the penne to the water and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins.
Pop the spinach into a colander in your sink.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it over the spinach so it's wilted and piping hot. Drizzle with a little oil to prevent it from sticking. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the bacon lardons and stir fry until lightly browned, 1-2 mins.
Pour the bacon and its fat into a medium bowl. Mix in the breadcrumbs and olive oil for the crumb (see ingredients for amount), season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine. Set aside.

Pop your (now empty) frying pan back on medium-high heat.
Add the olive oil for the roux (see ingredients for amount), then stir in the flour (see ingredients for amount). Cook until it forms a paste, 1-2 mins - you've made a roux!
Gradually stir in the water for the sauce (see ingredients for amount) and chicken stock paste. Bring to the boil, then stir and simmer until thickened, 1-2 mins.
Stir in the dried thyme and creme fraiche, then remove from the heat.

Add the grated Cheddar to the sauce and stir until melted. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Stir the cooked pasta and spinach into the sauce until combined. Add a splash of water to loosen if you need to. Pour the creamy pasta into an ovenproof dish, then sprinkle the bacon crumb evenly over the top.
Bake on the top shelf of your oven until golden, 8-10 mins.