Mac 'N' Cheese - cooking recipe

Ingredients

10.5 oz macaroni
1 None small Spanish onion, peeled
8 None whole cloves
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup butter, 2 1/2 tbsp finely chopped
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1.5 oz Cheddar cheese, grated
6 slices bacon, chopped
3/4 cup soft fresh breadcrumbs

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F. Grease a large baking dish. Place on a baking tray. Cook pasta in boiling salted water for 10 mins, or until tender. Drain.
Meanwhile, stud whole onion with cloves. Place in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and cover with milk. Bring to a simmer then remove from heat. Discard onion and reserve milk.
Wipe pan clean. Melt 5 1/2 tbsp butter. Add flour and cook for 1-2 mins, or until bubbling. Add nutmeg and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook for 4 mins, or until sauce boils and thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 the cheese until melted. Season. Add pasta and toss to combine.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Cook bacon for 3 mins, or until crispy. Add to pasta and toss to combine. Transfer to prepared pan.
Combine remaining cheese and breadcrumbs then sprinkle over pasta. Dot with remaining butter and bake for 20 mins, or until bubbling and golden. Let stand for 5 mins then serve.