Simple Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

A macaroni and cheese recipe is a delicious and essential meal to have in one’s repertoire. It is relatively cheap to make and will satisfy the young and old alike. There are many different ways to make a macaroni and cheese recipe unique, such as by adding diced bacon and a cup frozen of peas to the sauce or opting for a more exotic cheese than cheddar. However, all recipes stem from this simple knowledge which is guaranteed to last a lifetime.

The Sauce

• The cheese sauce is perhaps what deters most from attempting to try a macaroni and cheese recipe, but it is surprisingly simple with the right information. To begin with, grate up to half a block of cheese – grated cheese melts faster – and set it to one side. Following this, measure out 50g of flour, 50g of butter or margarine, and half a pint of milk. Place the butter into a pan, on a low heat, and let it melt. Next, add the flour and stir vigorously; it should become a thick paste. 
• It is important to add just a small quantity of the milk to the mixture at first and mix thoroughly to avoid lumps. Stir in the rest of the milk gradually and bring it close to boiling point. Add the grated cheese to the mixture and stir constantly. As the sauce boils it should thicken to a soup-like consistency, and should take roughly two to three minutes.

The Macaroni

• It is not uncommon for macaroni and cheese recipes to be made with any number of different types of pasta, which only adds to its versatility as a recipe. Measuring pasta is often difficult, as dry pasta doubles in volume when it is cooked. Approximately 450g of dry pasta will serve four as a main course and roughly 100g will be enough for a single serving. 
• To make the pasta, fill a large pan with cold water and a pinch of salt to flavour. Make sure the water is just enough to fully immerse the pasta. The water should take between 3-9 minutes to boil. When it begins boiling, get a fork and carefully taste a bit of the macaroni. If it is still chewy then leave it to cook for another 2-3 minutes; if it is soft, take the pan off the heat and drain the water.

Serving

• Add the sauce to the macaroni and put the pan back on the heat. At this point any extra salt should be added for flavour. This is also where vegetables or bacon should be added if desired. Stir for 1-2 minutes or until it is qutie hot. The time required will be longer if adding frozen vegetables or precooked meat. You will then have completed this simple macaroni and cheese recipe, and your delicious meal is ready to serve.