MAC AND CHEESE

Mac and cheese hold many childhood memories for many living outside India. It's comfort food for many just like we have our rasam and sambar :)

I personally am not a big fan of mac and cheese. But my kids love it! Yes........big cheese lovers! Aali the bigger cheese fan outta the 2, would eat this everyday if given the chance. When I tell her its got wayyyyyyy tooo much cheese, she says "Amma, don't be silly! there's no such thing as too much cheese!!" LOL

This is so easy to prepare.......and makes a great friday night treat for kids! Mac and cheese is heavy as it is. So I didn't overdo it with the cream or anything. Just kept it simple with milk and cheese. It gives great flavour. So don't worry.

I dint have panko breadcrumbs so I have just made my own. Hence the breadcrumbs are wayyyy darker.

You can skip the breadcrumbs topping. it tastes great without it!:)

INGREDIENTS:

elbow pasta - 220 g

milk - 1 cup + 1/4 cup

all purpose flour - 1 tbsp

sharp cheddar cheese, grated - 2 cups

butter - 1 tbsp

salt and pepper to taste

for the topping:(optional)

panko bredacrumbs - 1/2 cup

red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp

dried italian herbs (seasoning) - 1/2 tsp

melted butter - 3 tbsps

PROCESS:

• Boil the pasta as per instructions on the packet. Drain and keep aside.
• In a small bowl mix the 1/4 cup milk and the flour. Whisk well and make sure there are no lumps.
• Now, in a saucepan on low flame, bring  the 1 cup milk to boil. 
• Add in the flour mixture and continuously mix well. There will be tiny bubbles on the surface.
• Continue cooking and whisking on low flame for about a minute or so. 
• The milk will start to thicken. Add in the grated cheese and whisk well. Switch off the flame. Add in the butter.
• Add salt and pepper to season.
• Add in the cooked pasta. Mix well.
• This cheese sauce thickens very fast. So serve immediately.
• If  it does thicken just add more milk to loosen it. It tastes so good just like this without the breadcrumbs topping.
• To make the breadcrumbs topping- In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients under the 'for the topping'.
• Place the pasta in an oven proof dish. top evenly with the breadcrumbs mixture. 
• Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees till the tops become slightly browned. It just takes a few minutes. 10 minutes or so.
• Serve immediately.

NOTES:

• Just add milk when re-heating.