An ideal choice for any family meal plan you might be dreaming up, macaroni and cheese are two ingredients that are certain to deliver a great deal. However, you don't have to stick to traditional recipes, as this children's mac and cheese dish makes clear. That said, mastering its rich, creamy goodness will make it soon become a go-to favourite. Relatively quick and easy to put together, even novice cooks will soon master homemade macaroni cheese.
Macaroni cheese recipe
Modern recipes with pasta don't have to be in an Italian style. Macaroni and cheese might be both staples of Italian cuisine, but macaroni cheese is just as British or American as it is Italian. Check out this Cajun-inspired spice mac and cheese recipe for an example of how to put a twist on it. Nevertheless, it is sometimes advisable to start with the classic dish before you progress to making it a signature dish. There are two basic parts to any good macaroni cheese recipe, and they're both outlined below.
Cheese sauce recipe
Plenty of popular cheese recipes call for a rich cheese sauce. So, too, does mac and cheese. Therefore, it is important to learn the basics of what to do with a simple cheese sauce recipe:
- Melt 40 grams of butter in a non-stick saucepan and then turn the heat off.
- Combine the melted butter with 25 grams of plain flour, or about half that if you use cornflour.
- Having formed a roux, grate about 150 grams of mature cheddar, which will be sufficient to serve two.
- Turn the heat back on the pan and gradually pour in 300 ml of milk, stirring continually. Make sure the roux combines with the milk without making lumps – spend a few minutes doing this until the sauce begins to thicken, adding more milk as it does.
- Once all the milk has been turned into the sauce base, add the grated cheese and stir in until melted.
Take a look at this macaroni cheese recipe with three cheeses if you want to use something other than cheddar on its own. Consider using cream in half-and-half proportions with the milk for a richer sauce.
Preparing macaroni for mac and cheese
Most macaroni available in the UK is freeze-dried. Check the required cooking time for the macaroni you have since it can vary. After all, you won't want to overcook it, which leads to rubbery pasta. Here are the steps to follow:
- Put a pan of water on to boil with enough in the pan to cover all of the macaroni noodles.
- Add a generous pinch of salt to the water, and add the pasta only when it is boiling.
- Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat so that it simmers for the requisite time.
- Strain the macaroni in a colander.
- Next, combine the sauce and pasta together, then serve with a seasoning of salt and pepper.
You can mix the macaroni and cheese together in the pan or, if preferred, serve the macaroni in bowls and simply pour the cheese sauce over the top. Either way, it will taste great.
Tips for an oven-baked mac and cheese recipe
If you combine the macaroni and cheese in the pan, consider transferring it to a shallow, oven-proof dish. Cook it for 15 minutes in the oven at 180°C, which will crisp up the top. Before placing it in the oven, you can even add an extra layer of grated cheese for a delicious, crispy topping. Parmesan is particularly good for this.
What goes well with macaroni and cheese?
If you want to accompany a macaroni-cheese recipe with something suitable, a fresh salad always works well. Chopped tomatoes will also taste good. Some people add pulled pork to their mac and cheese, while others prefer the tanginess of coleslaw. Grilled mushrooms are also lovely with mac and cheese.
Macaroni and Cheese FAQs
What ingredients do I need for mac and cheese?
For macaroni and cheese, you need at least one type of cheese, ideally a hard one, like cheddar. In addition, the small tubular past shapes, known as macaroni, are preferable, but you can also use any other pasta type. Butter, flour (or cornflour), and milk are also required for this tasty winter warmer.
How do you step up mac and cheese?
To make your mac and cheese recipe stand out, don't be afraid to season liberally with salt and pepper. The addition of mustard, especially wholegrain mustard, works well in the sauce. Use cream instead of milk for an even richer flavour and texture.
How was mac and cheese made?
An Italian dish called macaroni romanesco dates back to the 18th century, and it seems to have formed the basis for the mac and cheese we know today. This dish uses locally made pasta and simple cheeses, such as pecorino Romano, with little more to add flavour than pepper.
What is the cooking method of macaroni?
Macaroni simply needs to be boiled. Put a pan of water on to boil, covering it with the lid. Add a pinch of salt and put the macaroni in, ensuring it is entirely covered by the water. Reduce the heat to a simmer and then cook according to the instructions on the packet. Typically, macaroni takes 10 to 12 minutes to cook, but some quick-cook varieties can be ready in as little as five minutes.
Which three cheeses are best for mac and cheese?
When making three-cheese mac and cheese, a blend of cheddar, parmesan and gruyère is wonderful since their flavours combine so well. If you are following a cheese sauce recipe that calls for just one cheese, then Red Leicester and Double Gloucester are both worth trying.