Do you still remember that one episode of ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’, where Chandler tells Monica that the ‘Mac and Cheese’ she made was very delicious? A compliment which encouraged her so much, that she decided to become a chef.
Mac and cheese have always been indeed one of the most comforting meals. Wondering who came up with this unique idea to combine macaroni with creamy cheese? The “Book of Cooking”, an Italian cookbook from the 13th century, has the recipe called ‘de lasanis’ which is similar to the recipe for macaroni and cheese. It is often said that it was the first macaroni and cheese recipe. From then on, macaroni and cheese drew enormous attention across Europe. After that, it went all over the world and became one of the most loved recipes from Italy.
Pasta and cheese are a very beautiful yet mouthwatering combination. A combination that never disappoints people who like to indulge in soft buttery tastes. Let’s waste no more time, and get straight into the recipe of how can you too make the perfect Mac and cheese at your home.
Step-By-Step Guide For Making Mac and Cheese at Home
Step1: The first step is to cook the pasta. Take one cup of macaroni pasta and cook the pasta as per the instructions on the package. Adding one tbsp of oil to the pasta so it doesn’t stick. Make sure that it does not get too soft or mushy or break. Cook the pasta until it looks well-cooked. Drain it in a strainer.
Step 2: Mac and cheese are incomplete without the breadcrumbs toppings. To make it, grease a baking pan with some softened butter. Melt one teaspoon of butter. Now, add ⅓ cup of bread crumbs to the melted butter. Mix the bread crumbs properly with the butter.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4: Now, let’s come to our favourite thing while making Mac and cheese. For making the cheese sauce, heat three tbsp butter on a low flame. When the frosting effect on the butter is seen, you can add two tbsp of all-purpose flour. Using a wire whisk stir the flour quickly as soon as it is added to the pan. Do not stop stirring, so that the lumps do not form. Saute the flour until you get a nice aroma from it and the mixture is a plain golden colour.
Step 5: Keep the flame to the lowest and pour milk into a gentle stream. Keep on doing it with the sauce mixture. Make sure the milk is chilled. Turn off the flame once your sauce has thickened well.
Step 6: A test is that the sauce should hold at the back of a spoon. Add lots of shredded cheese to the sauce mix and stir so that the cheese melts in the sauce. Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed black paper, and pinch or two of grated nutmeg powder, and a very little salt and stir the entire sauce again.
Step 7: Now, add the pasta to the cheese first. Mix thoroughly so that the sauce and the macaroni mix very well. Top evenly with the bread crumbs and melted butter mix. Now, carefully sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top with crushed black pepper.
Step 8: Bake in a preheated oven at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Now, take it out from the microwave oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Your homemade Mac and cheese are ready to be served.
Pasta and cheese are not only macaroni and cheese combinations. There are many other recipes that you can try which will make you fall in love with this couple. Some of them are:
● Tomato and Cheese Pasta
● Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
● Cheesy Chicken Spinach and Artichoke Lasagna
● One Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta
● Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta and Spinach
Summing Up
Don’t wait any longer; just go on and try all these pasta and cheese combinations. We are 100% sure that pasta and cheese will never disappoint you. It is one of the best combinations in the history of food, and we should thank the Italian Chef for giving us one of the best meals, which is super comforting and is a bliss to our tongues.