Mac and Cheese is the literal definition of comfort food. There is nothing that can be more fulfilling than a gooey portion of this amazing recipe. I can live happily ever after with a big bowl of Mac and Cheese in my hands while watching Netflix! The best thing about this cheesy soul food is that it is loved by people of all ages!
Here’s what you need:
- 200 gm of elbow pasta or macaroni, boiled al dente.
- 200 ml of béchamel sauce (white sauce – made with 1 tbsp of flour, 1 tbsp of butter, and 2½ cups of milk, plus seasonings)
- ¼ to ½ cup of diced vegetables (you can use any vegetables of your choice in any quantity you like)
- Cheese: I used ½ cup of grated cheddar cheese, ½ cup of grated processed cheese or gruyere cheese, ¼ cup of grated mozzarella along with ½- ¾ cup grated mozzarella for the topping.
Note: It’s important to remember that it’s okay to use whatever cheese you have available. Though different variations and larger quantities of cheese are only going to make your mac n cheese richer. Also, remember that cheese comes mostly already salted, so be wary of how much more you want to add to the recipe.
How to make it:
- Boil the pasta (or macaroni) in salted water till it is al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, you can start preparing the béchamel sauce (click to read the recipe). Remember to use either no salt or very less salt while making it, you can adjust it later of course.
- As for the vegetables, you can either sauté them in some olive oil and keep them aside to be added to the sauce later or you can add them while making the béchamel sauce. I decided to sauté them beforehand, except for the corn, which I added directly to the sauce.
- Now, take the sauce off the heat and while it is still hot, add the cheeses you are planning to add. Mix it all well till the cheese has melted into the sauce.
- Adjust the seasonings as per your taste.
- And now, it is finally time to bring everything together. Take an ovenproof bowl large enough to accommodate the pasta
- Put in the macaroni and pour the sauce all over it.
- Sprinkle the reserved mozzarella all over the pasta.
- Preheat the oven to 250° C and then place the bowl in the top rack of the oven. Broil it for about 10 minutes. However, keep an eye out, you should take it out as soon as you see uniform browning on the top.
- You can enjoy it as it is or toast some garlic bread to go along with it.
- Here’s your very delicious mac and cheese with white sauce (béchamel sauce) ready!
If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to comment below and tell me! Also, if you try it out, do share your experiences and pictures with me on Instagram (@anjalisbakeaffair)
Recipe for Béchamel Sauce:
Read here: https://anjalisbakeaffair.com/2020/09/19/bechamel-sauce/
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Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
200 gm of elbow pasta or macaroni
200 ml of béchamel sauce (white sauce)
¼ to ½ cup of diced vegetables (you can choose use any vegetables of your choice in any quantity you like)
- Various types of cheese
½ cup of grated cheddar cheese
½ cup of grated processed cheese or gruyere cheese
¼ cup of grated mozzarella
½ to ¾ cup of grated mozzarella (for topping)
Directions
- Boil the pasta (or macaroni) in salted water till it is al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, you can start preparing the béchamel sauce (Check the recipe on my website www.anjalisbakeaffair.com)
- As for the vegetables, you can either sauté them in some olive oil and keep them aside to be added to the sauce later or you can add them while making the béchamel sauce.
- Now, take the sauce off the heat and while it is still hot, add the cheeses you are planning to add. Mix it all well till the cheese has melted into the sauce.
- Adjust the seasonings as per your taste.
- In a large ovenproof bowl, layer the macaroni, béchamel sauce, and the previously reserved mozzarella.
- Preheat the oven to 250° C and the place the bowl in the top rack of the oven. Broil it for about 10 minutes or until a uniform brown layer forms on the cheese.
- You can enjoy it as it is or toast some garlic bread to go along with it.
Recipe Video
Notes
- It’s okay to use whatever cheese you have available. Though more variations and larger quantities of cheese are only going to make your mac n cheese richer.
- Most of the cheeses are already salted, so be wary of the amount of additional salt you decide to put in the recipe.
- Keep an eye out on the mac and cheese while it is broiling. Take it out as soon as you see uniform browning on top.