This bacon and mushroom paptert recipe is the ultimate South African comfort food, perfect for a hearty family dinner. In this post, I share how to make this savoury bake and turn the process into a fun and educational activity for children of all ages.

When it comes to South African recipes that spell comfort, a good paptert is high on the list. This cheesy, creamy, and utterly satisfying bake is a modern twist on traditional pap. Our bacon and mushroom paptert recipe is not only a guaranteed crowd-pleaser but also a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on homeschooling lesson. It’s one of those perfect, easy family meals that bring everyone to the table.

Involving children in the kitchen teaches them skills that go far beyond cooking. Grating cheese develops motor skills, measuring ingredients introduces maths concepts, and following the method builds reading comprehension. It is also a chance to teach essential kitchen safety, a vital life skill supported by global health organisations like the World Health Organization. Let’s turn this meal into a memory.

What You’ll Need For This Paptert Recipe

This savoury maize meal recipe is versatile, so feel free to add other ingredients your family loves.

  • 15-30ml (1-2 tbsp) olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 200g diced bacon
  • 250g button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 320g raw maize meal
  • 2 x 420g tins cream-style sweetcorn
  • 500ml (2 cups) cream
  • 450g white cheddar cheese, grated
  • 250ml (1 cup) water
  • 3.5ml (½ tsp) salt
  • 5ml (1 tsp) baking powder

Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Paptert

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
  2. Parent’s Task: Sauté the onion, garlic, bacon, and mushrooms in a frying pan over medium heat until cooked and golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Child’s Task: In a large mixing bowl, let your child help you combine the raw maize meal, tinned corn, about two-thirds of the grated cheese, water, salt, and baking powder.
  4. Gently stir the cooked bacon and mushroom mixture into the bowl.
  5. Pour the final mixture into a large, greased ovenproof dish.
  6. Child’s Task: Let your child sprinkle the remaining grated cheese evenly over the top.
  7. Bake for 75 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the paptert is cooked through. Serve warm.

Share Your Comfort Food Creations!

This paptert recipe proves that cooking with kids can be both educational and incredibly rewarding. What are your family’s favourite fillings or variations?

Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this post with other families looking for delicious meal ideas. For more weekly inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter.

Anri Fourie, owner of Anri Guesthouse in Bloemfontein and mother to four children including triplets, shares her passion for quick, family-friendly meals that double as bonding and learning opportunities for her homeschooling family.