Macaroni Cheese Recipe
🕒 Total Time: 25 minutes
🥄 Servings: 4
🍽️ Yield: 6 cups
Description
Indulge in the creamy delight of Macaroni Cheese, a classic favorite loved by both kids and adults alike. This recipe, brought to you by lovewithrecipes.com, promises a quick and easy preparation, perfect for a satisfying lunch or snack. With its cheesy goodness and flavorful tomato sauce, it’s a dish that never fails to impress.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons cornflour
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon margarine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet (300g) macaroni
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine cheddar cheese and milk over medium heat.
- Once the mixture starts to rise, add the cornflour paste (cornflour mixed with a little water).
- Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
-
Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
- In a separate pan, heat olive oil and margarine.
- Sauté the chopped onion until browned and fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste, then simmer gently.
- Season with your favorite herbs and spices, along with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
-
Cook the Macaroni:
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
-
Assemble the Dish:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a casserole dish, layer the cooked macaroni followed by the cheese sauce and then the tomato sauce. Repeat the layers as desired. (Finishing with a layer of macaroni is recommended, but feel free to customize.)
- Top the dish with a generous amount of grated cheese.
-
Bake and Serve:
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 669.1
- Fat: 25.8g
- Saturated Fat: 15.6g
- Cholesterol: 78.9mg
- Sodium: 765.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 79.7g
- Fiber: 6.2g
- Sugar: 11.7g
- Protein: 31.2g
Tips and Variations
- For added flavor, consider mixing different types of cheese such as mozzarella or Gouda.
- Experiment with additional ingredients like cooked bacon bits, diced ham, or sautéed mushrooms for a unique twist.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free macaroni and ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.
- This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
With its rich and creamy texture, combined with the savory tang of tomato sauce, this Macaroni Cheese recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy the comforting goodness of homemade mac and cheese with this simple yet irresistible dish! 🧀🍅
