Baked Macaroni and Cheese – rich, cheesy, creamy and not to forget kid’s favorite snack/ side dish. This really is the ultimate comfort food. crisp and textured on the outside and gooey and cheesy inside. It’s very easy to make, a simple dish.
IngredientsFor macaroni2 cup Macaroni
water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp oil
For Sauce2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp plain flour/ all-purpose flour/ maida
3 cups of milk
salt to taste
1/2 tspblack pepper
5 cheese cubes/ 125 grams processed cheese
For Breadcrumbs1/4 tsp melted butter
bread crumbs 2 tbsp ( if you want less crisp top you can go for 1 tbsp)
Butter for greasing the dish
Indian Basil leaves for garnish ( optional)
Method- Boil water in a large pan. Add salt and oil to it. when water starts boiling add macaroni. cook till its still slightly firm or Al Dante.
- Drain the macaroni, run under cold water, and set aside in a colander.
- Preheat the oven to 180° C.
- Heat a thick bottomed pan. Melt the butter and sprinkleflour. cook the flour till it changes colorslightly. Don’t let it turn brown.
- Keep on stirring constantly so that it doesn’tget burned. Pour in the milk slowly while stirring continuously.
- Let it cook till the sauce turns thick. keep the flame on low to medium. you have to keep on stirring regularly.
It will take around 10 minutes to get thick. Switch off the flame.
- Grate Cheese cubes. we are going to add 3 cubes in the sauce. keep side the other 2 cubes for the crust.
- Add grated cheese cube to the sauce while still warm. Mix it to melt the cheese. Now add salt and ground black pepper.
- Add drained macaroni and mix well. You can have it as it is also if you don’t want to bake.
- Add butter in breadcrumbs and mix.
- Grease a baking dish with butter and pour the prepared macaroni in it. spread bread crumbs on it and top up with the rest of the grated cheese.
- Bake for 15- 20 minutes till the crust gets slightly brown and cheese melts.
- Take it out of the oven. Garnish with basil leaves.
- Serve HOT