Ultimate Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Ultimate Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 350 g spiral or other short pasta; 250 g vegetarian mature cheddar grated; 500 ml whole milk; 50 g baguette cut into small chunks; 50 g parmesan grated; 3 tbsp butter plus 1 tbsp melted; 3 tbsp plain flour; 1 clove garlic finely chopped; 1 tsp English mustard powder; 1 pinch salt and pepper

Indulge in this rich and velvety macaroni and cheese, featuring a blend of sharp cheddar and savory parmesan. Topped with buttery, crisp baguette chunks, it's the perfect comfort meal for any night of the week.

Servings4 Portions

Prep Time10 Mins

Cook Time40 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

spiral or other short pasta
350 g
vegetarian mature cheddar grated
250 g
whole milk
500 ml
baguette cut into small chunks
50 g
parmesan grated
50 g
butter plus 1 tbsp melted
3 tbsp
plain flour
3 tbsp
garlic finely chopped
1 clove
English mustard powder
1 tsp
salt and pepper
1 pinch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas 6). Spread the baguette chunks on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp of the melted butter, and season lightly. Bake for 6 minutes until crisp and golden, then set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest to keep it al dente, then drain thoroughly.

While the pasta is boiling, melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and English mustard powder, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

Stir in the plain flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, adding a little at a time and whisking constantly to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce.

Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes, whisking continuously until thickened. Remove from the heat, then stir in the grated cheddar and half of the parmesan until completely melted.