Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Macaroni cheese chat

173 replies

GreenTuraco · 30/09/2023 18:16

Food of the gods.
Had it for the first time in ages, gorgeous cheesy heaven.
Just posting here for macaroni cheese chat.
In my opinion, can't beat it made the traditional way, - saute chopped onion in butter, make into a roux then into a white sauce, add some mustard, salt and pepper and a shed load of extra mature cheddar. Block out all thoughts regarding calories, fat content or carb content.
Key principles of luscious macaroni cheese -

  • use proper elbow macaroni
  • cook it al dente
  • use less pasta than you think you need
  • make a traditional cheese sauce as above. Add more cheese than is decent. Make more sauce than you think you will need and make it runnier than you think it should be
  • combine all and add yet more cheese on top. And sliced tomatoes if you like. Bake. Eat and sink into a lovely cheese and carb coma. Bliss.
OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
CrimsonElevenDelightPetrichor · 30/09/2023 21:11

I don't use onion. Controversially, I've started making the cheese sauce with mozzarella, then adding grated parmesan on top. It's lush.

TeenTraumaTrials · 30/09/2023 21:17

As a special treat I top the macaroni cheese with pulled pork then top that with loads of parmesan before grilling.

Spybot · 30/09/2023 21:21

My best macaroni cheese dishes are often made with lots of leftover remnants of cheese rather than just one type. Cheddar, feta, Parmesan etc. i don't think there is a need to bake as it dries it out, but if you want to bake it, do it is a heavy Dutch oven or similar, with a lid, so you don't lose moisture in the sauce. Sometimes I add peas!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General food Weight management
mynameiscalypso · 30/09/2023 21:24

@viques I quite want a t shirt that says that on it now.

viques · 30/09/2023 21:26

greenacrylicpaint · 30/09/2023 21:08

I cook carrots/courgette/pumpkin/cauli (or whatever we have together with the pasta.

and add some blue cheese into the mix for more flavour.

and no breadcrumbs

I was having issues with ketchup. Now I am speechless.

MoiraRosesBaybay · 30/09/2023 21:26

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 30/09/2023 20:36

Macaroni Cheese would be my chosen last meal if ever I was in that position. My mum's was the best - more saucy than most other versions.

Exactly the same here. Mum’s macaroni cheese was the best. She taught me. White sauce made from a roux with a bit of mustard powder (1oz butter, 1oz flour, half a pint of milk) enough cheese to induce a dairy based coma, mix in macaroni, cheese on top then into the aga for about an hour. (The aga was always on as it ran the heating and hot water)

cryinglaughing · 30/09/2023 21:28

Leeks instead of onion.
Delicious!

MoiraRosesBaybay · 30/09/2023 21:28

viques · 30/09/2023 21:26

I was having issues with ketchup. Now I am speechless.

Show quote history

Once you start adding random vegetables it becomes cheesy pasta bake, surely.

YesitsBess · 30/09/2023 21:31

I'm going over this thread for more inspiration however....

Marmite.

Yes, you heard. A teaspoon full in the roux makes it annoyingly umami moorish.* *

Oldraver · 30/09/2023 21:33

Riverlee · 30/09/2023 20:49

Just wanted to come on and thank you for calling thread ‘Macaroni cheese’ and not ‘Mac and cheese’.

I really dislike it being called Mac n cheese though even the decent pubs and food places round these 'ere parts call it that

ehb102 · 30/09/2023 21:33

Basic white sauce plus cheese fan here. 1.5oz of butter and flour to half a pint of milk and 3oz cheese does four people. Cathedral City Vintage was always my go to cheese for this.

Riverhousepuppy · 30/09/2023 21:35

Delish served as a side dish with a roast dinner too.

Pleaseme · 30/09/2023 21:35

No onions here either but I do love a good macaroni cheese

NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy · 30/09/2023 21:36

Never add random veggies. Shock Far too Annabelle Karmel. It's meant to be a cheesy carby feast not school dinner pasta bake!

I made it tonight. Bloody lovely as always. My rules:

  1. Equal amount pasta to cheese (so tonight I used a 500G bag of pasta and a 500G block of extra mature cheddar)
  1. Whole grain mustard not any other type
  1. Macaroni pasta not fusilli / penne which is BORING
FannyFifer · 30/09/2023 21:50

Just hear for the macaroni cheese porn. The food of gods!
I like a wee bit of onion in mine, cheesy breadcrumbs on top.

RapidlyApproachingEndOfMyTether · 30/09/2023 22:05

This is the recipe I use, from my mums 1980s Dairy Book of Family Cookery. Can't be beaten! There is a plain macaroni cheese recipe in there too, but we like the leek one with the breadcrumbs on top. Delicious!

Macaroni cheese chat
Goodornot · 30/09/2023 22:08

No onion in it. That's gross. Not mustard either

I do love a good macaroni cheese.

OrangeBlossomPretty · 30/09/2023 22:12

Whaaat?! There's NO tomato or onions in mac n cheese!

SoIinvictus · 30/09/2023 22:13

I live in Italy so have to make it in secret so as not to be extradited for crimes against Italian food. (I do garlic bread at the same time which also doesn't exist here - I have to wait till dp is on a lads' footy trip.

I don't really use a recipe but do occasionally add mushrooms and leeks to dilute the fat 😂

And remember to buy decongestants for my cheese lined sinuses the day after.

It's good with blue cheese as well.

Cookerhood · 30/09/2023 22:17

Treacletart9 · 30/09/2023 18:52

There’s a Nigella recipe, made with condensed milk, eggs and cheese blended (not cooked) then added to cooked macaroni. Fast to make and enhanced by a spoon of mustard, panko and Parmesan topping. A little extra milk makes the sauce a bit looser. Serrano ham sometimes mixed in. My teens swear by it and eat it by the bucket.

whats this thing with having gravy on it?

I really don't think you mean condensed milk, unless it's for pudding? It would be very sweet. Evaporated milk maybe?

WhamBamThankU · 30/09/2023 22:28

Fried mushrooms and onions go into mine 🤤

BigDahliaFan · 30/09/2023 22:36

Onions?…???

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 30/09/2023 22:39

Excellent tips OP!

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 30/09/2023 22:45

I agree, lobster or crab are too delicate of a flavour, it is a waste of seafood adding it. Leftover ham often make it into ours though.

Treacletart9 · 30/09/2023 23:02

@Cookerhood thank you macaroni police…..you could be right…whatever Nigella says.
got me wondering if I have used condensed milk now…….