Pigs in blankets macaroni cheese – classic comfort food with a festive twist! Creamy mac and cheese with bacon-wrapped sausages and a crispy, herby breadcrumb topping.
When I posted a picture of this macaroni cheese on Instagram yesterday it caused a bit of a stir. Everyone else seems to love pigs in blankets and macaroni cheese just as much as I do!
What are pigs in blankets?
If you aren’t from the UK, you might not be familiar with pigs in blankets. They are little sausages wrapped in bacon and as you can imagine, they are pretty amazing. They are the highlight of Christmas dinner for many people.
The inspiration for this recipe came to me when I was Christmas shopping last week.
I was in a certain very well-known cafe and one of their festive specials with macaroni cheese with pigs in blankets.
I didn’t order it, but I thought this was a fabulous idea. I immediately decided that I had to come up with my own version.
a perfect Christmas macaroni and cheese
Whenever I’m cooking, I’ll often decide to throw ingredients in at the last minute depending on what needs using up in the cupboard.
I had half a (pretty stale, if I’m honest) baguette and a packet of fresh sage in the fridge so I whizzed up the baguette into coarse crumbs, chopped up the sage and cooked it in melted butter until the breadcrumbs were crunchy and golden.
The result left me wondering why I don’t add a breadcrumb topping to my macaroni more often – the crunch adds a lovely contrast to the creamy, rich cheese sauce.
My fussy teenagers loved this recipe and thought combining pigs in blankets with macaroni cheese was a genius move.
I certainly can’t claim this idea as my own – but don’t tell them, ok?? The older they get the harder it gets to impress them!
Everyone in my house declared this a huge hit and I can’t wait to make it again soon.
It would be a great recipe to make in those flat days between Christmas and New Year, or on Christmas Eve! Eat while curled up on the couch with watching your favourite Christmas movie.
sides to serve with pigs in blankets macaroni cheese
This dish is filling enough to serve just as it is, but if you really want a side, all you really need is some garlic bread. It’s the best combination. And if you choose to drown the macaroni in tomato ketchup, please don’t show me. I can think of nothing worse. 😉
If you’re planning to serve this macaroni as a side dish, I couldn’t think of anything more perfect to go along with it than my orange marmalade glazed ham or slow cooker ham in coke.
The sweet-saltiness of the pink ham goes so well with the creamy pasta. And if you want to serve some veg alongside, my honey mustard roasted parsnips and carrots would do the job very well.
If you try this recipe over the festive season, don’t forget to take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Facebook! I would LOVE to see your take on it!
And for pudding?
Make my gingerbread latte cake or these Terry’s chocolate orange brownies and you’ll have the ultimate pre or post Christmas feast!
Pigs in blankets macaroni cheese
Creamy macaroni cheese with that festive favourite, pigs in blankets!
Ingredients
- 10-12 pigs in blankets, add as many as you like/can possibly fit in - the more the merrier, I say!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
- 400g macaroni
- FOR THE SAUCE:
- 50g butter
- 25g plain flour
- 570ml whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Djon or wholegrain mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 250g mature cheddar cheese, plus 25g extra for sprinkling over the top
- FOR THE BREADCRUMB TOPPING
- 50 g butter
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- Half a stale baguette, whizzed in a food processor until you have large crumbs (you could also use panko breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and cook the pigs in blankets according to the packet instructions.
- Heat the oil in a small saucepan and add the onion. Cook over a low heat for 10-15 minutes until softened but not coloured. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions. Drain well and set aside while you make the sauce.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook the roux for a minute or two, then remove from the heat. Switching to a hand whisk, gradually and slowly add the milk, whisking well.
- When all the milk has been added, place back on the hob and cook on a low heat for 10 minutes, stirring often. When the sauce has thickened, add the mustard, salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and add the cheese, stirring quickly until melted and smooth.
- FOR THE BREADCRUMB TOPPING:
- Melt the 50g butter and olive oil in a small saucepan. Tip in the breadcrumbs and chopped sage and fry for about 5 minutes, or until golden and crunchy. Take care not to overcook, it can burn very quickly. Remove from the heat and season with a little salt and pepper.
- When everything is ready, combine the sauce with the macaroni and cooked onion and transfer to a heatproof dish.
- Place the pigs in blankets in the macaroni, letting them peek out a little.
- Scatter over the crunchy breadcrumbs, top with some grated cheese and brown under a hot grill for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 608Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 732mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 3gSugar: 12gProtein: 18g
Calories and nutritional information are provided by a third party application and should be viewed as indicative figures only.
Oh my – two of my favourite dishes in one. I do love a recipe mashup and this one is especially AWESOME! Thanks for linking it up to #CookBlogShare. Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas! Eb x
Thank you so much! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas! xx
My kids would love this!
Thanks Karly, it’s very popular with my kids!
My Kids absolutely loved this recipe. Thank you.
I’m so glad they enjoyed it! My kids love it too ?