Monday, May 24, 2010

Delicious Macaroni and Cheese Bake

Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! We adore mac and cheese round here. I generally use different ingredients each time I make mac and cheese and so have developed several versions of this lovely dish. A couple of weeks back it suddenly turned cool around here. There was even frost on the ground!! Craving something very comforting and warming, I decided decided to make a classically creamy baked version of mac and cheese.

Ingredients:
2 cups macaroni
11/2 cups mixed chopped vegetables (I used carrots, peas, green beans, corn, broccoli, and edamame beans)
1 onion, chopped fine
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cheese, grated
1/2 cup single cream (half and half)
Salt to taste
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tbsp cornflour
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup breadcrumbs 


Method:
  1. Boil and cook the macaroni as per the instructions on the pack. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a separate pan, boil 3 cups of water. Add a pinch of salt, then the chopped vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes, then drain.
  3. Heat the oil in a pan. Add the chopped onions and fry on medium heat until transparent. Turn off the heat and cool in the pan.
  4. Mix the cornflour in the water. Pour onto the fried onions and mix well. Place the pan back on low heat and stir the mix until it begins to thicken. Immediately add the milk and cream. Stir in and blend. 
  5. Once the sauce has thickened to a pouring consistency, season with black pepper, thyme, and mustard. Add the cheese. and mix well.
  6. Add the vegetables and cooked macaroni to the sauce. Check for salt. Adjust any seasoning.
  7. Pour the bake into an oven proof bowl. Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.
  8. Bake at 300F until the top begins to brown.
  9. Remove from oven. Allow to sit for 5-7 minutes before serving.
Macaroni and cheese is a hearty dish. The addition of cream to this recipe makes it as delicious as it is heavy. In other words, it tastes incredible and will bribe your taste buds into believing you are still hungry well after you are done!! As an occasional treat, this mac and cheese is perfect. Enjoy warm and in moderation!!

This goes to Rachel at The Crispy Cook who is hosting this week's Presto Pasta Nights, an event created by Ruth @ Once Upon a Feast.

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16 comments:

  1. Looks creamy and delicious. This is a great comfort food.

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  2. Thats a tempting and cheesyyyy bake, looks awesome..

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  3. My kids would die for this dish Apu, looks creamy and delicious!:)

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  4. Love it Apu, beautiful looking crust it has.

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  5. This looks delicious ! I am gonna try sometime.

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  6. I love macroni and cheese. Love this baked macroni nad cheese, sooo creamy and delicious.

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  7. Very tempting cheese bake...looks so rich and creamy :)

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  8. Looks really creamy & awesome.. thxs for visiting my site & ur lovely comment..added u in my blog list..

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  9. I liked the baking part of the recipe.Looks crisp from the outside and luscious inside.

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  10. This is a great variation of a tried and true classic. Thanks for sending it on to Presto Pasta Nights this week.

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  11. mmmm creamy n delicious.Lovely pic......
    Drop in sometime

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  12. We love Mac and Cheese too. Your post just reminds me its been a while since I last made it though............ :)

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  13. This mac and cheese is delicious! I love all of the veggies you put into it. I have a pomegranate recipe coming up...hopefully I can get it to you in time!

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  14. @ Mary, Priya, Vanamala, Shriya: Thanks for stopping by.

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  15. @ Priya, Dibs: I used Panko breadcrumbs for the crust!
    @ Mythili, Aparna: Every day is a good day for Mac n cheese:)
    @ Joanne: Look forward to your entry to Healing Foods.

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Apu @ Annarasa