Hamdi Saidani This Jamie Oliver Mac And Cheese is one of the best and easiest UK Mac And Cheese recipes ever. This ultimate mac and cheese is made with garlic, butter, flour, bay leaves, semi-skimmed milk, and a sauce featuring Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Feel free to top with cooked bacon, breadcrumbs, or fresh thyme leaves for that extra touch of flavor.
Mac And Cheese Ingredients
- 600 g dried macaroni
- 1 litre semi-skimmed milk
- 150 g Cheddar cheese
- 100 g Parmesan cheese
- 45 g butter
- 10 cloves of garlic
- 3 heaped tablespoons plain flour
- 6 bay leaves
- 8 tomatoes
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
- 3 big handfuls of fresh breadcrumbs
- Olive oil
- Optional: 2 splashes of Worcestershire sauce
- Optional: 1 whole nutmeg, for grating
- Optional: Diced Cooked Bacon
How To Make Mac And Cheese
- Preparation: Peel and finely slice the garlic.
- Roux: In a large ovenproof saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add flour and stir until you get a paste (roux). Add garlic slices and cook until golden.
- Sauce: Add bay leaves and whisk in milk gradually. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat.
- Pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water according to package instructions.
- Tomatoes and Cheese: Roughly chop tomatoes and season. Grate Cheddar and Parmesan.
- Combine: Drain pasta and add to sauce. Stir in grated cheese, tomatoes, and half of the thyme leaves. Optionally, add Worcestershire sauce and nutmeg.
- Season: Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thick, add a splash of water.
- Bake: Transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake at 220°C/425°F for 30 minutes.
- Breadcrumb Topping: While baking, toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and remaining thyme leaves until golden.
- Bacon Topping: Add diced cooked bacon then serve.
What Goes With Mac And Cheese
Serve this jamie oliver mac and cheese with Pickled Red Onions, Carrot Salad, Barley Salad or Sweet Potato Salad.
How Long Does Mac And Cheese Last In The Fridge
Cooked Mac And Cheese can last in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days. Simple storage involves placing it in an airtight container to stay fresh.
Can You Freeze Mac And Cheese
Yes, Mac And Cheese can be frozen for about 2 to 3 months. Simple freezing involves letting the dish cool down to room temperature and then storing it in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
To thaw frozen Mac And Cheese, place it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. For quicker thawing, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave.
How To Reheat Mac And Cheese
To reheat Mac And Cheese, preheat your oven to 350°F and bake for 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a microwave by heating it on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Mac And Cheese Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 581
- Fat: 20.8g
- Saturates: 11.2g
- Sugars: 10.8g
- Salt: 1.3g
- Protein: 25.3g
- Carbs: 78.5g
- Fiber: 3.8g
Try More Recipes:
- Jamie Oliver Beef Casserole
- Jamie Oliver Turkey Curry
- Jamie Oliver Turkey Meatloaf
- Jamie Oliver Coronation Chicken
- Jamie Oliver Coq Au Vin
Jamie Oliver Mac And Cheese
Jamie Oliver Mac And Cheese Ingredients
How To Make Jamie Oliver Mac And Cheese
- Preparation: Peel and finely slice the garlic.
- Roux: In a large ovenproof saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add flour and stir until you get a paste (roux). Add garlic slices and cook until golden.
- Sauce: Add bay leaves and whisk in milk gradually. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat.
- Pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water according to package instructions.
- Tomatoes and Cheese: Roughly chop tomatoes and season. Grate Cheddar and Parmesan.
- Combine: Drain pasta and add to sauce. Stir in grated cheese, tomatoes, and half of the thyme leaves. Optionally, add Worcestershire sauce and nutmeg.
- Season: Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thick, add a splash of water.
- Bake: Transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake at 220°C/425°F for 30 minutes.
- Breadcrumb Topping: While baking, toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and remaining thyme leaves until golden.
- Bacon Topping: Add diced cooked bacon then serve.
