Pasta with caramelised onions, bacon and mushrooms

Method

1 Cook the bacon in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat for 5-7 min until just crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook for about 5 min until softened. Remove from the pan with the slotted spoon and set aside.

2 Heat the oil in the pan and add the onions, garlic and half of the thyme. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for 15 min until the onions are soft and slightly browned.

3 Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to packet instructions in a large saucepan of salted boiling water until just tender. Remove 125ml (4fl oz) of the water with a measuring jug and set aside, then drain the pasta and discard the remaining water.

4 Tip the pasta into a large bowl. Add the onions and two-thirds of the bacon, mushrooms and cheese. Toss well to mix, adding enough of the reserved water to moisten, then season to taste.

5 Serve immediately, topped with the remaining bacon, mushrooms, cheese and thyme.