Here’s a creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese that works great alongside your roast chicken and broccoli salad:
🧀 Classic Macaroni & Cheese
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni (elbow pasta)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (warm)
- 1½–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup mozzarella (optional, for stretch)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp mustard powder (optional, adds depth)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook the pasta
Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside. - Make the sauce (roux)
Melt butter in a pan, add flour, and cook for 1–2 minutes (don’t brown it). - Add milk
Slowly whisk in warm milk. Cook until thick and smooth. - Add cheese & seasoning
Lower heat, stir in cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard powder until melted. - Combine
Add cooked macaroni to the sauce and mix well.
🔥 Optional Baked Version
- Transfer to a baking dish
- Top with extra cheese + breadcrumbs
- Bake at 180°C for 15–20 minutes until golden on top
🌿 Variations
- Extra creamy: Add a splash of cream
- Spicy: Add chili flakes or jalapeños
- Protein boost: Mix in shredded chicken
- Desi twist: Add a pinch of garam masala and green chilies
🍽️ Poolside Combo Idea
Serve this with:
- Roast chicken 🍗
- Broccoli salad 🥦
- Fresh lemonade or iced tea 🥤
If you want, I can put all three dishes together into a timed cooking plan so everything is ready at once.
