Macaroni Cheese!

Where would a student be without macaroni cheese?!

It's an easy recipe to modify too, so if you're feeling adventurous, try adding different types of cheese!

Ingredients;
-about 225g macaroni
-50g butter
-50g flour
-600ml milk
-200g grated cheese (plus extra for topping)
salt & pepper
a dash of cayenne pepper (optional)


First, cook the macaroni as you would any other pasta - in a nice big pot of boiling water. Cook until its soft, and drain. This should take about 15 minutes.
Whilst you're doing this, melt the butter in a pot, and add the flour. Mix this to form a paste ball (apparently this is called 'roux'). It's important not to let this burn. Stir for 2 minutes and then remove from the heat. Slowly beat in the milk, making a smooth sauce, being careful not to make it lumpy. Return to the heat and cook gently until the sauce begins to thicken.

Simmer the sauce gently and add the 200g of cheese. I always think it would be interesting to try adding a different type of cheese here, maybe Gorgonzola, or mascapone. Last time I made this dish, I used half cheddar cheese, half creme fraiche, which made for an especially creamy macaroni. Add the salt and pepper, and if you're using cayenne (which I think is gorgeous with cheesey dishes) add that too.

Stir the sauce into the pasta and pour into a ovenproof dish. Top with grated cheddar cheese, or if your feeling adventurous, try mozzarella. Bake in an oven preheated to 200c for about 20 minutes (or until the cheese is as crispy as you like it.)

enjoy!