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Macaroni Cheese

Ready in 45 mins

Recipe by Graham 

Macaroni Cheese is definitely one of my favourites and is really very easy to make. No need to serve anything with it... just on its own it provides a substantial meal for hungry people.

All cooks have their own version of Macaroni Cheese so there is no absolute set standard by which to decide or judge. Just play with the recipe to suit yourself. Here's my version of this all time classic...

Preparation Time

20 Minutes

Cooking Time

25 Minutes
A Top Choice Recipe for Simplicity

Ingredients for Macaroni Cheese

If you are not familiar with any ingredients, please check our International Cooking Terms page.

Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements

To serve 4:

4 oz macaroni
2 tablespoons duck fat, goose fat or corn oil
2 medium onions
4 oz streaky bacon
½ pint cheese sauce
  salt and pepper
4 oz Cheddar cheese
1 tomato

How to Cook Macaroni Cheese

  1. Bring a large pan of slightly salted water to the boil then add the macaroni. Cook according to the instructions on the packet (usually about 7-8 minutes in boiling water). While it's cooking, make the Cheese Sauce (and if you decide to cheat and use packet sauce, just don't tell me about it!!)
  2. Peel and chop the onions into small pieces. Fry them gently in the fat (oil) for about 10 minutes, turning frequently, until they become limp and translucent. De-rind the bacon (if necessary) and chop into small pieces. Fry this for just 2 or 3 minutes along with the onions in the frying pan.
  3. When cooked, drain the macaroni and then return it to the pan. Add the onions and bacon from the frying pan and the cheese sauce (which may, or may not, have come from a packet!!). Stir well, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Place this mixture into an oven-proof casserole dish then grate (shred) and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Slice the tomato and lay the slices on top of the cheese then put the dish (uncovered) in a preheated moderate oven (Mk 5 - 375ºF - 190ºC) for about 20 - 25 minutes until the cheese is nicely browned on top.
  4. Serve just as it is or with liberal helpings of tomato ketchup.
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
If you want to 'spice it up a bit' you can add ½ teaspoon of English mustard powder (the hot stuff) to the mixture before placing it in the casserole dish. Just be sure to stir it well in!