Winter Warmers: Jamie Oliver’s Roasted Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon and Walnut Crumble

As winter settles in, there’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty meal to keep the chill at bay. This roasted pumpkin mac and cheese dish, originally from Jamie Oliver, enhanced with crispy bacon and a walnut crumble (an alternative to the chestnuts that are more readily available in the UK), is the perfect comfort food for those cold nights. Packed with rich flavours and a variety of textures, it’s a delightful twist on a classic dish that will make your kitchen the cosiest spot in the house.

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut pumpkin (approx 1.2kg)
  • Olive oil
  • 2 onions
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 50g mature Cheddar cheese
  • 50g Fontina cheese
  • 70g Parmesan cheese
  • 100g plain flour
  • 1.2 litres semi-skimmed milk
  • Whole nutmeg, for grating
  • 500g dried macaroni
  • 50g smoked streaky bacon
  • 150g stale sourdough bread
  • Fresh thyme (15g)
  • 100g vacuum-packed chestnuts

Method

  1. Prep and Roast Pumpkin: Preheat oven to 180ºC. Peel, deseed, and chop pumpkin into 2cm chunks. Place on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, season, and roast for 40-50 minutes until caramelized.
  2. Cook Aromatics: Finely chop onions and garlic. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat, add onions and garlic, cooking until soft and golden. Grate cheeses.
  3. Make Cheese Sauce: Reduce heat to low, stir in flour, and gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Add two-thirds of the cheese, nutmeg, and season. Simmer gently to thicken.
  4. Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni for 2 minutes less than instructed. Drain, saving some cooking water.
    Prepare Bacon and Crumble: Fry finely sliced bacon until crispy. Blitz sourdough, thyme leaves, half the walnuts, and bacon in a food processor to make crumbs.
  5. Combine and Bake: Mash roasted pumpkin, stir into cheese sauce, then fold in pasta. Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs, add remaining walnuts, drizzle with oil, and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

This roasted pumpkin mac and cheese with crispy bacon and walnut crumble is the perfect dish to warm up your winter evenings. The combination of flavours and textures creates a comforting meal that is sure to be a hit with family and friends. At Jag Kitchens, we believe in creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also bring people together through the joy of cooking and dining. If you’re inspired to redesign your kitchen to make it even more inviting, our team is here to help. Book a free design consultation with one of our expert designers today, and let’s start planning your dream kitchen.