Classic mac and cheese
- Preparation and cooking time
- Total time
- Easy
- Serves 4
- 400g macaroni
- 30g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 300ml whole milk
- 200g grated mature cheddarplus 2 tbsp for the top
- kcal685
- fat32.8g
- saturates19.4g
- carbs65.4g
- sugars5.4g
- fibre3.7g
- protein30.1g
- salt1.2g
Method
step 1
Heat the oven (if using, see step 3) to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Cook the macaroni in a large pan of boiling salted water following pack instructions until al dente, then drain well.
step 2
Melt the butter in a large pan over a medium heat. Tip in the flour and stir well. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the mixture turns sandy and smells slightly nutty. Tip the milk into the pan and whisk really thoroughly to get rid of any lumps. Bubble for a few minutes to thicken, then tip in the grated cheddar. Whisk again until fully melted, then season to taste.
step 3
Stir the macaroni into the sauce, then tip into a 20cm x 30cm baking dish. Scatter over the remaining cheddar, then bake or grill for 20 minutes until golden and crisp on top.