Pure and Simple Mac and Cheese

When it comes to mac & cheese I am a purest at heart. I don’t want it to be fancy, I just want really good quality cheese and lots of it.
This is how my dad taught me to make it, and I think it’s a pretty classic way to be honest. It was a family favourite that he would make if one of us was feeling a but under the weather. This recipe serves 4 and makes great leftovers.

🧈40g butter
⭐️40g plain flour
⭐️English mustard 1-3tsp depending on your taste - start with one and see how you like it
🧂Salt & white pepper
🧀300g good quality strong cheddar - v important
🧀100g Parmesan
🧀1 ball or mozzarella if you are fancy and want a sexy cheese pull but it’s just for show 750ml whole milk
🍝350g elbow macaroni - absolutely no other shape is acceptable

🧀In a large pot on medium heat, start by melting the butter then adding the flour to make a ‘roux’ which need to be cooked for a few minutes. While this is cooking warm the milk in the microwave for 2-3 minutes then slowly whisk the milk into the roux until it’s all combined and you have a smooth sauce. Don’t worry if it’s lumpy, a good whisk should sort that out. You can add cold milk but you need to do that quite slowly and it takes longer.
🧀When you have a nice smooth white sauce add the mustard, a pinch of both salt and white pepper and two-thirds of the cheese and stir until its melted. Give it a taste and add more mustard, salt or pepper if it needs it.
🧀Cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes less than the packet recommends as it will finish cooking in the oven. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir. It might seem quite wet but it will thicken more in the oven.
🧀Add the Mac to a large baking dish (adding a layer of cheese in the middle if you’re feeling fancy) and top with the remaining grated cheese.
🧀Bake in a very hot oven for about 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and it’s bubbling. You could also put it under a hot grill until it’s golden brown and bubbling.

I love this served with some peas, roasted tomato or even bacon (my mums favourite).