MACARONI CHEESE IN 4 EASY STEPS

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Macaroni cheese in 4 easy steps image

A simple step-by-step guide to making a classic supper dish. An old favourite, made with plenty of cheese and a little mustard

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Supper

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

700ml full-fat milk
1 onion, peeled and halved
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 bay leaf
350g macaroni
50g butter, plus a little extra for greasing
50g plain flour
175g mature cheddar cheese, grated
1 tsp English mustard
50g parmesan, grated
50g coarse white breadcrumb

Steps:

  • Prepare the pasta: In a small pan, warm the milk, onion, garlic and bay leaf until almost boiling. Remove from the heat, leave covered to infuse for 10 mins, then strain. Cook the macaroni according to pack instructions until just soft, but still with a little bite (this is called al dente in Italian). This will take about 10 mins. Drain in a colander, then run under the tap and stir to stop the pasta sticking together.
  • Make a roux: (A roux is simply flour and fat, cooked together, then used to thicken sauces.) Heat oven to 190C/ fan 170C/gas 5 and butter a 25 x 18cm ovenproof dish. Melt the butter in the medium pan. When foaming, add the flour, then cook, stirring constantly, for 1 min on a low heat.
  • Finish the sauce: Slowly stir the warm infused milk into the roux until smooth. Simmer for 3-4 mins, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened and has a coating consistency (run your finger through the sauce on a spoon - it should leave a trail). Remove the pan from the heat, then add the cheddar and mustard powder. Season, then stir until the cheese has melted.
  • Assemble and bake: Mix the cheesesauce through the macaroni to coat it well, then tip into the prepared dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan and breadcrumbs over the top, then bake for 15-20 mins until golden brown and bubbling. Serve piping hot on its own or with a green salad.
  • EQUIPMENT: 1 small saucepan with lid, 1 large saucepan, 1 medium saucepan, colander, chopping board, sharp knife, grater, wooden spoon, ovenproof dish

Nutrition Facts : Calories 860 calories, Fat 40 grams fat, SaturatedFat 24 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 97 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 36 grams protein, Sodium 1.72 milligram of sodium

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