Skip to main content
Pesto Bacon Mac and Peas

Pesto Bacon Mac and Peas

with Cavolo Nero and Herby Crumb
4.0(21)
Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamUpdated on March 05, 2026
Calories
1297 kcal
Protein
42.7g protein
Total
35 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Allergens:
  • Milk
  • Wheat
  • Cereals containing gluten
  • Egg
  • Nuts
  • Cashew nuts
  • Milk
  • May contain traces of allergens
  • Soya
  • Peanut
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
serving amount

2 unit(s)

Garlic Clove

50 grams

Mature Cheddar Cheese

(Contains: Milk May contain traces of: Milk)

25 grams

Breadcrumbs

(Contains: Wheat, Cereals containing gluten)

1 sachet(s)

Mixed Herbs

180 grams

Macaroni

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten, Wheat May contain traces of: Soya)

100 grams

Chopped Cavolo Nero

150 grams

Creme Fraiche

(Contains: Milk)

15 grams

Vegetable Stock Paste

40 grams

Grated Hard Italian Style Cheese

(Contains: Milk, Egg)

30 grams

Basil Pesto

(Contains: Nuts, Cashew nuts, Milk May contain traces of: Peanut)

120 grams

Peas

90 grams

British Smoked Bacon Lardons

Not included in your delivery

2 tbsp

Olive Oil for the Crumb

20 grams

Butter

1.5 tbsp

Plain Flour

200 milliliter(s)

Water for the Sauce

Energy (kJ)5425 kJ
Energy (kcal)1297 kcal
Fat76.8 g
of which saturates34.9 g
Carbohydrate95.7 g
of which sugars10.5 g
Dietary Fibre11.1 g
Protein42.7 g
Salt4.9 g
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.
Bowl
Garlic Press
Grater
Large Saucepan
Colander
Pan
Oven dish

Instructions

Get Started
1

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil with ½ tsp salt for the macaroni

Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press). Grate the cheese.

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, mixed herbs and the olive oil for the crumb (see pantry for amount). Set the crumb aside.

Macaroni Time
2

When your pan of water is boiling, stir in the macaroni and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins.

When the pasta has 5 mins left, add the cavolo nero to the same pan and boil for the remaining time. TIP: Discard any tough stalks from the cavolo nero.

Once cooked, drain in a colander and pop back in the pan. Drizzle with oil and stir through to stop the pasta sticking together.

Make the Sauce
3

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Once hot, add the bacon lardons. Stir-fry until golden, 4-5 mins. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw meat. Cook bacon thoroughly.

Next, melt in the butter (see pantry for amount).

Once hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 min, then stir in the flour (see pantry for amount) and cook until it forms a paste, 1-2 mins - you've made a roux!

Stir in the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) a little at a time, followed by the creme fraiche and veg stock paste. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring until thickened, 2-3 mins.

Say Cheese
4

Meanwhile, preheat your grill to high.

Once the sauce has thickened, remove from the heat, then stir through the hard Italian style cheese, Cheddar, pesto, peas, cavolo nero and cooked macaroni.

Add a splash of water if it's a little thick. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Get Grilling
5

Transfer the creamy pasta to an ovenproof dish and top evenly with the herby crumb.

Place your mac and cheese on a baking tray and grill until golden, 4-5 mins.

Serve
6

Share your pesto mac and cheese between your plates.

This week's must-try HelloFresh recipes