Mac and Cheese is pretty much the ultimate comfort food. Cheese, check, pasta, check, bubbling hot comforting perfection – check! In this recipe we’ve created a more decadent version of this vegetarian staple. This isn’t what we would call a healthy recipe but it certainly is a crows pleaser and is one children love.
The Origins of Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese, often lovingly referred to as “mac and cheese,” is a beloved comfort food that has found a special place in the hearts and kitchens of people around the world. Its origins, however, trace back to a fascinating history that combines European and American culinary influences.
The dish’s roots can be traced to Italy, where pasta has been a staple for centuries. Early recipes for pasta and cheese combinations date back to the 14th century in Italian cookbooks. It wasn’t until the 18th century that macaroni and cheese made its way to England, where it became a popular dish among the upper classes. The English variation often featured macaroni pasta mixed with butter and grated cheese, a precursor to the creamy concoction we know today.
The dish took a transatlantic journey to the United States, likely brought over by Thomas Jefferson. He discovered it during his travels to France and Italy, and upon returning to Monticello, he served “macaroni pie” to his guests, making it fashionable in America’s higher echelons. As the recipe made its way into American homes, it evolved, with additional ingredients like milk, cream, and a variety of cheeses being incorporated. Over time, mac and cheese became a cherished part of American culinary tradition, featured at family gatherings, potlucks, and even holiday feasts.
Why Mac and Cheese Is a Great Comfort Food
- Creamy, Cheesy Goodness: The creamy texture and rich, cheesy flavor of mac and cheese are what dreams are made of. The combination of pasta cooked to tender perfection and a velvety cheese sauce is a comforting experience for your taste buds. It’s like a warm hug for your palate.
- Nostalgia and Childhood Memories: For many, mac and cheese is more than just a meal; it’s a trip down memory lane. It’s the food that reminds you of your grandmother’s kitchen, or the simple pleasure of enjoying a bowl after school. Those fond memories are an integral part of why mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food.
- Versatility: Mac and cheese is a canvas for culinary creativity. You can add a variety of ingredients like crispy bacon, breadcrumbs, truffle oil, or vegetables to elevate the dish to new heights. This versatility allows you to tailor it to your personal tastes and preferences.
- Ease and Accessibility: Making a basic mac and cheese is relatively easy, even for novice cooks. You don’t need a culinary degree or fancy equipment to whip up a batch. This accessibility makes it a go-to comfort food for people of all ages.
- Soul-Soothing Properties: There’s something undeniably soothing about the combination of carbs, fat, and cheese. Comfort foods like mac and cheese have the power to lift your spirits and provide solace during tough times. It’s a dish that offers warmth and familiarity, which is exactly what you need when seeking comfort.
Mac and cheese is more than just a dish; it’s a cultural icon that bridges continents and generations. Its humble origins and the way it has evolved over time speak to its enduring appeal. Whether you enjoy it as a side dish, a main course, or a midnight snack, mac and cheese is a comforting indulgence that brings joy and nostalgia to the table, making it a cherished comfort food for all.
This recipe was created as part of our Community Cookbook Project. Learn more about the project here.
Ultimate Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Instructions
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Prepare the pasta
Start by bringing a pan of water to the boil with a pinch of salt. Add your macaroni to the pan and give it a stir. You want the pasta to be cooked "Al Dente", so it will still have a bit of a bite to it in the middle but soft of the outside. This will take approx. 6-9 minutes. Once you reach this stage you want to drain it and run it under cold water to cool it off. This will stop the cooking process and also stop the pasta sticking together while you prepare the rest.
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Prepare the jam
We are going to make an onion and garlic jam which totally takes this dish to a new dimension. You can totally skip this step if its not to your taste or you are running low on time. Start by peeling and slicing all three onions. Cutting the root end of the onions at 45° angle will make the onions easier to slice. Finely dice the garlic cloves.
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In a pan with a little oil start sweating the onions on a medium-low heat. You want to keep the onions moving. Once the onions start to soften, add your garlic. Keep moving the onions until they start to release their own juices and start to caramelise.Add the sugar and continue to cook. Once the sugar has melted, add the balsamic vinegar, stir and turn the heat low. Keep stirring until the liquid is sticky and sweet. Place onto a clean plate and leave to cool.
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Prep the sauce
Now to make the next aspect of this recipe. The sauce. This sauce starts as a very classic 'Roux' (see information box for a link for more details) and we will build it into a deeply complex cheese sauce to match the richness of our jam. Start By Grating your Cheddar and Gruyere Cheeses and set aside.
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Make a roux
In a pan on medium heat, add your butter. Allow to melt without burning it. Add your flour and mix in well. This is your 'Roux'.Cook your roux until it resembles a sandy texture.
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This is the part that requires a little patience. We are going to incorporate the milk into our roux to create the base for our sauce. But this needs to be done a little at a time to avoid lumps! The secret to this is adding a little milk, stirring slowly to incorporate gently and then to beat quickly until your mixture is smooth and glossy. Then start the process again. This is best done with a spatula or wooden spoon. If you find the mixture is starting to boil, remove from the heat and add a little milk, make sure it's mixed in and then return to the heat. Repeat until you have used all your milk.
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Add the cheese
Now is where we indulge with the flavours. start gradually adding in your cream, then cream cheese, and finally your grated cheeses. heat and mix until your cheese sauce is smooth and melty. If you think its too thick you can use a little more milk to thin. Season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 180°C
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Assemble and Bake
In bowl add the panko crumbs, parmesan and paprika. Mix well and then mix in a couple of drizzles of oil. This will be our topping. Now's time to start the layering! You could for quickness totally mix the jam sauce an pasta together and chuck into the oven dish, but sometimes a little finesse goes a long way. Place half your jam into the bottom of your oven dish. Follow this with half the pasta and then half the cheese sauce, then carefully dollop the rest of you jam on top of the sauce, add the rest of the pasta, followed by the last of the sauce. Top carefully with your crumb mixture and place in the oven for 45-60 minus until the middle is piping hot
