Sabine Koning has led OhMyFoodness, her acclaimed blog on cooking and travel, for over a decade. A true fan of indulgent butter and sugar pies, she lives by the motto: "Dare to experiment in the kitchen, and food becomes pure joy." Discover her irresistible recipe for Mac 'n' Cheese bitterballen with bacon.
From Sabine at OhMyFoodness: "The cheesier the dish, the better I like it—though it often means loosening my pants afterward. Mac 'n' Cheese is my ultimate pasta favorite, especially with a crunchy crust. Turn leftovers into these golden bitterballen, or whip up a fresh batch just for them."
Difficulty: moderate | Prep time: 30 min (plus cooling)
Ingredients (makes 30):
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni per package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
Step 2: In a saucepan, fry the bacon until crisp. Add butter to melt, then stir in 25 g flour. Cook for a few minutes without browning to form a roux.
Step 3: Gradually pour in the milk, bring to a boil, and simmer until thickened like a loose pudding. Stir in both cheeses until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Step 4: Mix the cooked macaroni and bacon into the cheese sauce. Spread into a flat dish and chill in the fridge for 3-4 hours until firm.
Step 5: Form the chilled mixture into balls. Roll each in flour, beaten egg, then breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating for extra crunch.
Step 6: Freeze the balls for 1 hour to firm up. Heat oil to 180°C and deep-fry in batches for 5 minutes until golden and crispy.
Recipe & images: Oh My Foodness – The Tastiest Comfort Food Recipes (Fontaine Publishers)
