Fancy mac and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is such an easy meal that is loved by most families. Here is a great way to fancy up a macaroni and cheese by adding other flavors that are more often than not favorites in most households. I am a big fan of bacon but do sometimes add sausage sliced instead. Have a party and make this macaroni and cheese to suit your family. (4 people)
What you need
180 – 200g macaroni or any small shell pasta
6 rashers of bacon chopped
3 heaped tablespoons butter
1 onion finely chopped
1/2 green pepper finely chopped
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup cake flour
1 cup milk
1 tin (420g) tomato soup
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Salt to taste
The process
Cook your pasta in a large pot of fast boiling water to al dente, drain.
While that’s on the go cook your bacon and set aside.
In a new pot on a medium heat, melt the butter and gently cook the onions and green pepper until they are soft. Don’t let the butter brown.
Now add the bacon, mustard, paprika and stir for about 2 minutes, then toss in the flour and stir constantly until you see the mixture bubble and thicken.
Combine the milk and the soup in a bowl and pour into the pot gradually, stirring all the time. Keep stirring until you have a gleaming and reasonably thick sauce going.
Now for the fun part. Add most of the cheese (about 2/3) and all of the cooked pasta to the sauce mixture. Stir to combine well and then remove from the stove.
Now pour the whole lot into an oven dish, sprinkle over the last of the cheese and perhaps a few slices of fresh tomato and some extra bacon bits, place under the grill in your oven to brown the top and you are done.
It’s fabulous and will become one of your favorites. Here is a more traditional macaroni and cheese recipe.
Howsit Graham
I did this dish for my wife a few months ago and it rocked!!! we wanted it a few weeks ago but could not remember the site i found it on until now!! Thanks for your rocking recipe man,copied and pasted to my iphone never to be lost again!\
Cheers
Matt
Howzit Matt, so glad you found us again, keep that lady happy… Cheers for now G
Wow, what an awesome recipe. I must say I was sceptical about the tomatoe soup and I never follow recipes but was lacking inspiration for my pasta crazed man! Its completely moorish, my diet is cursing you! I also made your Oxtail recipe today which is sitting in the oven and is amazing!! (I am off work and bored so cooking up a storm!). Thanks for both recipes, I’ve bookmarked your page 🙂
Hi Rochelle, thanks so much for letting us all know and really glad you are having fun with the recipes. You enjoy your leave and feed that man… Cheers for now, delicious days G
Hi, I did a variation of this recipe tonight. Really yum but admittedly still not quite as good as mums =)
Thanks for the recipe im sure it will be a repeat
Hi Anita, Mom’s recipes are always hard to beat so give one of these lasagna recipes a try and blow her socks off…
https://cookbook.co.za/meat-recipes/beef-recipes/meat-lasagna/
https://cookbook.co.za/vegetables/spinach-and-ricotta-lasagna/
Cheers for now G
hi there
I have been through your website am looking for a pasta and mushroom recipe. THis christmas i’d like to do things differently; tired of curry and rice with coslow salad.
Reply ot qinisile.mkhize@kznode.gov.za
PLEASE REPLY BEFORE FRIDAY.
Qinislie, there are thousands of mushroom pasta variations. If you can’t find one here, try these
http://www.grouprecipes.com/mushroom-pasta
http://italianfood.about.com/od/pastamushrooms/MushroomBased_Vegetable_Sauces.htm
Happy days G
thanx Bridgette
just reading through the ingredients makes my mouth water, have to try this, and its so basic.the only thing i dont have in my cupboard is tamato soup.just to go back to yvonne’s comment, i know that if you plan to serve your pasta with something saucy that its prefered not to rinse pasta so the sauce can stick to pasta.And Dawn i deffinately will try it with chicken.think that might also work well.and for Inke who doesnt realy like to cook.you should try G’s lemon meringue. so easy, almost flop proof.yummy.tnx G.now i dont have to think of what to cook tonight, just have to go and buy the tomato soup.
Thanks for your comments and feedback Brigitte, so glad you are enjoying yourself here. Have a delicious time, G
Hi there,
I would just like to say, that this was the BEST mac and cheese EVER! Im 21, and I dont like making dinner, but yesterday I had to, and to be honest, this just inspired me, to not hate making food! It was fun, and so delicious, and everybody was impressed! Thanks G! All the credit goes out to you!
Hi there Inke, I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that you enjoyed cooking and it worked out well. Thats fantastic, try a few of the others as well… Cheers for now G
hi G
after cooking paster in boiling water to al dante, then drained. would u advice pasta be rinsed again with boiling water to remove the “starch” or one just uses it as is after draining it? just curious coz for some unknown reason i always rinse my pasta after draining
Hi Yvonne, If you use a very big pot of water there should be no need to rinse but on occasions when the water is a little low I have been known to rinse it. The secret of good pasta is using a really big pot with plenty of salted water. Have a great evening G
Hi Graham
You are fast becoming my very best friend. I have been cooking for many years (raised 4 children) and I am at that stage of my life where I want to try and make dishes differently. I made your mac and cheese last night and it is now by far my favourite M&C recipe. I have yet to make one of your recipes and be disappointed with the result. Thank you for a wonderful website and I pass your details on to all and sundry.
Thanks G
Barbara
Hi Barbara, thank you so much, it’s comments like yours that make it all worthwhile… Have a wonderful weekend. Cheers for now G
Hi Graham
Oh my gosh you made me look like Nigella Lawson last night with this recipe. My boyfriend was full of compliments about how good the dish tasted which has spurred me into action and has encouraged me to not be afraid of the kitchen.
I HIGHLY recommend this recipe to anyone – not only is it delicious but also simple to make.
When next I make it I think I will sub the bacon with pork sausages. Even chicken would make an interesting combination.
Thanks again Graham – you are the BEST for making me look like a chef 😉
Hi Dawn, 😉 that is soooo good to hear, keep cooking honey. Have a lekker day G