Cheap and cheerful bacon and pasta

Pasta shapes or spaghetti (about 50g to 75g per person)
6 rashers bacon, chopped
10 mushrooms, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
25g (1oz) butter
25g (1oz) flour
1/2 pint of milk
Handful of grated cheese


1. Cook the pasta in boiling water according to packet instructions.
2. Meanwhile, fry the bacon, mushrooms, onion and garlic for 10 mins, until done.
3. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the flour. Gradually stir in the milk, whisking to get rid of any lumps.
4. Bring the sauce to the boil, then simmer. Add the cheese and allow it to melt.
5. Take the sauce off the heat, mix in the bacon, mushrooms, onion and garlic. Pour over the drained pasta and serve.
Top tip: To make into a pasta bake, pour the pasta and sauce into a ceramic dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake at 190°C/375°F/gas 5 for 30 mins.