Recipe Calendar- September

Our recipe from our recipe calendar for September is our Ultimate Mac & Cheese! Not only is it a hearty meal, it doesn't break the bank and can be made as a batch meal in advance. It's also a recipe that the children can make with you too!

Ingredients:

500g/1kg Macaroni Pasta

100g Unsalted Butter (regular butter or margarine will do as well)

3 tbsp Plain Flour

500ml Milk

300g Grated Cheese

100g Crumbled Plain Tortilla Chips (optional) for topping

2 tbsp Mixed Herbs (optional)

2/3 tbsp Fajita Seasoning (optional)

Method:

1. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than stated on the packaging then drain.

2. Meanwhile melt the butter in a saucepan and add the seasoning. Simmer for 1 minute then add the 3 tbsp of plain flour, stirring until combined.

3. Once combined, gradually add the milk (you may not need all of it) and stir until you have a lump free sauce.

4. Keep stirring to thicken the sauce then add 150g of the grated cheese until combined.

5. Add the pasta into the sauce, mixing both together until the sauce has covered all the pasta.

6. Pour the combined mixture into an oven proof dish, sprinkle the remaining grated cheese all over the top of the mixture plus the crumbled tortilla chips (if using) and bake in the oven for 10-20 minutes or until the cheese on top has melted at 180C-200C/Gas Mark 5-6/400F

7. Serve immediately and enjoy.

   
   

Tips:

1. You can add vegetables to this recipe. I find Broccoli or Peas work well.

2. You can add chunks of a Toasted Baguette instead of the crumbled plain Tortilla Chips.

3. You can use any grated cheese- I usually use a mixture of Grated Mozzarella and Medium Cheddar Cheese.

4. You can use any shaped pasta- Penne, Farfalle, Fusilli, Rigatoni, Conchiglie- to name a few.

5. You can also add a little Mixed Salad on the side if you want.

Enjoy!

Lily xxx