Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy and delicious dish. It is a classic and most favourite meal for kids. This recipe is made with homemade savory sauce of butter, milk, flour and melted cheese. Mac and cheese can also be taken with other popular American dishes like hash browns, apple pie, waffles etc. 

So, now let me share a few tips and suggestions to make this mac and cheese recipe a lip-smacking dish. Firstly, cook the entire sauce on low flame right from the beginning. Also, use a thick a thick-bottomed pan, so that the flour does not burn. Secondly, it is always advised to use cold milk for the sauce as this does not lead to the formation of lumps. Thirdly, when you add the shredded cheese to the sauce, make sure to keep the pan on the workplace and not on the burner or stove top. Finally, baking mac and cheese is optional, however it tastes good and super yummy on baking. 

Servings:- 2

Cuisine:- World, American

Course:- Main Course

Ingredients:-

For cooking macaroni:

1 cup elbow macaroni

3-4 cups water

1/2 tsp salt

For cheese sauce:

2 tbsp butter

1.5-2 tbsp all purpose flour

1.5 cup cold milk

2-3 tbsp shredded cheese

Salt as required

1/4 tsp black pepper powder

For topping:

3/4-1 cup shredded cheese

1/4 tsp mixed herbs

Method:-

To cook macaroni:

1. Firstly, in a large pan, add the water and salt and allow them to boil vigorously. Once the water comes to a boil, add the macaroni. 

2. Cook them till they are al dente or just cooked. Make sure that they are not too soft and do not break. Drain them off in a strainer and keep aside. 

To make cheese sauce:

1. Firstly, heat a saucepan on low flame. Add in 2 tbsp of butter. As soon as the butter starts melting, add in 1.5-2 tbsp of all purpose flour. 

2. With the help of a wired whisk, stir the flour quickly as soon as you add it. Keep stirring the flour, so that no lumps are formed. Saute the flour, till you get a nice aroma but do not burn them. 

3. On a low flame, add in 1.5 cup cold milk. Pour in the milk with one hand and keep stirring the sauce mixture with the other one. 

4. Keep stirring continuously till the milk heats up. Simmer the sauce on low flame till it thickens. Switch off the flame once the sauce thickens. 

5. Keep the saucepan down on a workplace and allow it to stand for a minute. Now, add the shredded cheese and mix them very well, so that the cheese melts.

6. Now, add in 1/4 tsp black pepper powder and salt as required. Mix them very well and keep aside. The cheese sauce is ready. 

To make mac and cheese:

1. Preheat the oven at 180 degree Celsius for 10 mins. Now, add the boiled macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix them well. 

2. Further pour the macaroni and cheese sauce into the greased baking tray. Sprinkle some mixed herbs and shredded cheese on top. 

3. Now, bake them in a preheated oven at 200 degree Celsius for 15-20 mins or until the cheese melts. Keep checking the oven in between as the temperatures may vary. 

4. Finally, serve hot mac and cheese immediately with apple pie or waffles.