Description
Classic mac and cheese is a comforting and creamy dish made with tender macaroni pasta enveloped in a rich, cheesy sauce. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple ingredients and finishes with a golden, crispy cheddar topping baked to perfection, making it a perfect warming meal for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g macaroni
Sauce
- 30g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 300ml whole milk
- 200g grated mature cheddar
- 2 tbsp grated mature cheddar (for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Heat a large pan of boiling salted water and cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until the mixture turns sandy and emits a slightly nutty aroma. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken for a few minutes, then add the grated cheddar cheese. Continue whisking until the cheese has melted completely. Season the sauce to taste.
- Combine and bake: Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into a 20cm x 30cm baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of grated cheddar over the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 220C (fan 200C, gas mark 7) or grill for 20 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp.
Notes
- This recipe requires only five basic ingredients, making it quick and simple to prepare.
- The baked cheddar topping adds a delightful crispy texture to complement the creamy pasta.
- Perfect as a comforting meal option any day of the week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 5.4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 32.8g
- Saturated Fat: 19.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65.4g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Protein: 30.1g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
