The best macaroni cheese

Name: The best macaroni cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 350 g De Cecco Chifferi Rigati, or similar pasta

Martha Collison's version is creamy and strong in cheese flavour, but not too intense. A salad on the side makes a great accompaniment.

5 out of 5 stars(3) Rate this recipe

Serves6
CourseMain meal
Prepare15 mins
Cook15 mins
Total time30 mins

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Ingredients

350g De Cecco Chifferi Rigati, or similar pasta

For the cheese sauce

75g butter
60g plain flour
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp mustard powder
½ tsp Cooks’ Ingredients Garlic Granules
½ tsp ground black pepper
500ml whole milk
170g can Essential Evaporated Milk
150g Cheddar, grated
150g Red Leicester, grated
100g Gruyère, grated

Method

Preheat the oven to 200 ºC, gas mark 6. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add a big pinch of salt. Add the pasta and cook for 1 minute less than pack instructions (it will continue to cook in the oven later). Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Once melted, add the flour and stir until a thick paste forms. Cook the mixture for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to cook the flour out. Add the paprika, mustard powder, garlic granules and pepper, then stir again.
Gradually add the milk, little by little, until the sauce is completely smooth. Once bubbling, stir in the evaporated milk and add ¾ of all the grated cheese. Mix well until the cheese has melted, then drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish and top with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes, then switch the oven to grill and cook for 5 minutes more, or until the cheese on top is bubbling and golden. Allow to stand for a few minutes before serving.

Cook’s tip

Evaporated milk adds a rich creaminess and sweetness that you’ll love. Make sure it’s evaporated rather than condensed milk.

Don’t use pre-grated cheese, which contains starch to stop the pieces sticking together, as this will affect the texture of your sauce. Use any pasta you have for this recipe.

I recommend something hollow, such as macaroni, penne or conchiglie, so the holes get filled with sauce.

For when you can’t wait. Serve the macaroni cheese straight out of the pan, adding all the cheese. Top each portion with a spoonful of soured cream, fresh green pesto with basil and 1-2 slices crispy fried pancetta.

Cook a 495g pack of Waitrose Slow Cooked Turkey Thigh with Turkey Gravy, according to pack instructions, then shred (use the pouch of gravy in another recipe). Fold through the macaroni cheese before transferring to the ovenproof dish. Dollop 6 tsp cranberry sauce over the top, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and 2 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Rosemary & Garlic Crust, before baking as per method.