With its rich blend of cheese and savoury flavours, it’s sure to be a family favourite. Simple yet satisfying, it never fails to impress. It’s creamy and yummy, just follow the simple instructions and your recipe will never fail you.
From its humble origins to its iconic status today, macaroni and cheese has become a dish that transcends generations and cultures.
Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
When it comes to comfort food, this macaroni and cheese recipe is a must-have.
Equipment
- Oven safe baking dish
Ingredients
- 400 grated cheese 200g cheddar, 200g mozzarella
- 500 macaroni or any pasta of your choice
- 1 litre milk
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 ripe tomatoes sliced (optional)
- 250g diced wood smoked bacon
- ½ cup breadcrumbs Feel free to add extra breadcrumbs for a final sprinkle on top, if desired
- butter for greasing oven-proof dish
- olive oil
- fresh or dried oregano for garnish, (dried oregano has a more subtle flavor than fresh oregano)
- smoked paprika Optional
- additional black pepper
Instructions
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180°F (82°C).
- Prepare the Dish: Note: If two dishes have the same capacity but one is shallower, the shallower dish will probably bake faster than the deeper one. Grease the dish with butter, then add breadcrumbs. Tilt and swirl the dish to coat the bottom and side with crumbs.
- Cook the Macaroni: In a large pot, bring lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk the eggs with a small amount of milk and half of the seasoning, (salt and Pepper).
- Combine Ingredients in the Pot: Return the cooked macaroni to the same pot. Gradually add the warm milk to the egg mixture to temper it, then pour the tempered mixture over the macaroni. Add the remaining milk and seasoning. Stir well to combine.
- Incorporate the Cheese: There are a few things you can do to avoid a grainy cheese sauce. First, use freshly grated cheese. The pre-shredded stuff has additives to keep it from clumping in the bag. However, that means that it doesn't melt as smoothly as freshly grated cheese. Secondly, stir the cheese in a handful at a time, stirring until it melts before adding more. Lastly, make sure to turn down your heat. High heat can cause any cream sauce to separate and become grainy. Gently fold in the cheese, reserving a small amount to sprinkle on top later. Ensure the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
- Layer the Topping: Add the bacon, then arrange the sliced tomatoes on top, (optional). Sprinkle with the reserved cheese, and leftover crumbs if desired. Finish with a dusting of smoked paprika (optional) and black pepper for extra flavour.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-45 minutes, depending on the depth of your baking dish. A shallower dish will take approximately 30 minutes to coo through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh or dried oregano before serving.