Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

  • 50g baguette, cut into small chunks
  • 2 tbsp butter, plus 1 tbsp melted for bread topping
  • 350g spiral pasta (or any short pasta of your choice)
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp English mustard powder
  • 3 tbsp plain flour
  • 500ml whole milk
  • 250g mature cheddar cheese, grated (vegetarian)
  • 50g parmesan cheese, grated (or vegetarian alternative)

Method

  1. Prepare the Bread Topping: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / gas mark 6. Spread the chunks of baguette on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of melted butter, and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 6 minutes until golden and crispy, then remove and set aside.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions to keep it al dente for baking. Drain and set aside.
  3. Start the Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and mustard powder, cooking for 1 minute while stirring. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for an additional minute.
  4. Add the Milk: Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
  5. Thicken the Sauce: Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, whisking frequently until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the grated cheddar and half of the Parmesan until melted.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cooked pasta until it is evenly coated, then pour into a large ovenproof dish (or individual baking dishes).
  7. Add Toppings and Bake: Scatter the baked bread chunks and the remaining Parmesan over the pasta. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp.