Sweet Potato and Bacon Mac and Cheese

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

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

While everything cooks, pick the sage leaves from their stalks and finely chop (discard the stalks).

Pop the sage into a small bowl along with the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil (see pantry for amount). Season with salt and pepper, mix together then set aside your sage crumb. 

Grate the Cheddar cheese. 

Melt the butter (see pantry for amount) in another large saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, stir in the flour (see pantry for amount). Cook until it forms a paste, 1-2 mins - you've made a roux!

Pour in the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) a little at a time, followed by the veg stock paste. Bring to the boil, stir and simmer until thickened, 1-2 mins. Stir in the creme fraiche, then remove from the heat.

Add the Dijon mustard (add less if you don't love mustard), Cheddar cheese and grated hard Italian cheese. Stir until combined and melted. Season with salt and pepper.

When the sweet potatoes are ready, remove it from the oven and turn your grill on to high.

Stir the sweet potatoes and lardons into the sauce along with the cooked macaroni. Add a splash of water if it's a little thick. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Transfer the pasta to an appropriately sized oven-proof dish, then pop it under the grill until golden and bubbling, 1-2 mins.