How to tart up mac and cheese?

[Deathwillbebutapause]

I use a basic recipe similar to this.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-ever-macaroni-cheese-recipe

Which the offspring deign to eat.

How to make it a bit fancier without altering it too much? Can you shoehorn in veg somehow inside the mac and cheese (I serve it on the side but it's not always eaten)? Can you add bacon somehow? Herbs?

Might try this around Christmas.

Otherwise just bacon and grated parmesan on top.

You did say tarted up.

I add crispy bacon, jalapenos and hot sauce for a dirty Mac and cheese.