Preheat your oven to 240°C/220°C fan/gas mark 9.

Trim the butternut squash, halve lengthways, then scoop out the seeds (peel first if you prefer). Cut into 1cm chunks.

Pop the butternut onto a large baking tray. Drizzle with oil, then sprinkle over the roasted spice and herb blend. Season with salt and pepper, then toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer. TIP: Use two baking trays if necessary. 

When the oven is hot, roast the butternut on the top shelf until golden and cooked through, 18-20 mins. Turn halfway through.

Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to the boil with ½ tsp salt.

When your water is boiling, stir the macaroni into the pan and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins. 

Once cooked, drain in a colander and pop back into the pan. Drizzle with oil and stir through to stop it sticking together.

While everything cooks, pick the sage leaves from their stalks and finely chop (discard the stalks).

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon. Stir-fry until golden, 4-5 mins, then set aside for now. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw meat. Cook bacon thoroughly.

In a small bowl, combine the sage leaves, breadcrumbs and olive oil for the crumb (see pantry for amount). Season with salt and pepper, then set aside your sage crumb.

Grate the Cheddar cheese. 

Melt the butter (see pantry for amount) in another large saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, stir in the flour (see pantry for amount). Cook until it forms a paste, 1-2 mins - you've made a roux!

Stir in the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) a little at a time, followed by the veg stock paste. Bring to the boil, stir and simmer until thickened, 1-2 mins. Stir in the creme fraiche, then remove from the heat.

Add the Dijon mustard (add less if you prefer), Cheddar and hard Italian style cheese. Stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper.

When the butternut is ready, remove it from the oven and turn your grill on to high.

Stir the bacon and butternut into the cheese sauce along with the cooked macaroni. Add a splash of water if it's a little thick. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Transfer the pasta mixture to an appropriately sized ovenproof dish. Sprinkle over the sage crumb, then pop it under the grill until golden and bubbling, 2-3 mins. 

When everything's ready, share the bacon and butternut squash mac and cheese between your serving bowls, top with the rocket and a drizzle of olive oil and get stuck in. 

Enjoy!