Chipotle Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan forced). Cook bacon in a medium frying pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove from pan set aside and crumble when cool. Pour off the rendered fat leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the capsicum, and cook until slightly softened, set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all the topping ingredients and set aside.
3. To make cheese sauce; melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir well to make a smooth paste. Cook for 1 minute or until paste starts to bubble, but do not allow to colour. Add the milk slowly and whisk thoroughly to avoid lumps. Sprinkle over remaining ½ of McCormick Grill Mates Chipotle & Roasted Garlic Dry Marinade and stir through, cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture bubbles and thickens. Add the cheeses, ⅓ at a time, and continue stirring until the cheese is melted and there are no lumps. Add the bacon, capsicum and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly.
4. Spoon the macaroni mixture into a 2-3 ltr baking dish or individual size, oven proof ramekins. Sprinkle the cheese topping over. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes or until the top is crisp, browned and the edges are bubbling. Check after 15 minutes so the top does not burn.
5. Rest for about 15 minutes as cheese holds heat and can scald