Baked Mac and Cheese
Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese
- 2 1/2 cups uncooked pasta, (~250g)
- 4 tablespoons butter, or oil
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups dairy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, extra, for topping
- mixed herbs, or oregano, for topping
For the Optional Chicken Chunks
- 1 chicken breast, cut in cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon soya sauce
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 2-3 tablespoons chilli sauce, or sriracha sauce
- oil, for deep frying, as needed
Instructions
- 1
If making the optional chicken chunks: Cut 1 chicken breast into cubes. In a bowl, combine the cubed chicken with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon paprika powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon soya sauce, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, and 1 egg. Mix well to coat the chicken.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
- 3
While the chicken marinates, cook the 2 1/2 cups of uncooked pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
In a large pan or pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter or oil over medium-low heat.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Add 1 teaspoon chilli powder, 1 teaspoon chilli flakes, 1 teaspoon paprika powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder (reserving salt and sugar for later). Mix well and cook for 30-40 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, keeping the flame low to prevent burning.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Stir in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook, stirring continuously, for about 1 minute to create a roux.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk and 2 cups of dairy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce begins to thicken.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar to the sauce. Stir until dissolved.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce reaches a slightly thick consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 11
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well until the pasta is fully coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) with both top and bottom heat on.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 175
- 13
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish. Top with the extra 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with mixed herbs or oregano.
⏱️ 2 min
- 14
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 175
- 15
While the mac and cheese bakes, deep fry the marinated chicken chunks until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
⏱️ 10 min
- 16
Coat the fried chicken in 2-3 tablespoons of chilli sauce or sriracha sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 17
Serve the baked mac and cheese hot, topped with the optional spicy chicken chunks if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Baked Mac and Cheese
For the Mac and Cheese
- 2 1/2 cups uncooked pasta, (~250g)
- 4 tablespoons butter, or oil
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups dairy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, extra, for topping
- mixed herbs, or oregano, for topping
For the Optional Chicken Chunks
- 1 chicken breast, cut in cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon soya sauce
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 2-3 tablespoons chilli sauce, or sriracha sauce
- oil, for deep frying, as needed
Instructions
- 1
If making the optional chicken chunks: Cut 1 chicken breast into cubes. In a bowl, combine the cubed chicken with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon paprika powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon soya sauce, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, and 1 egg. Mix well to coat the chicken.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
- 3
While the chicken marinates, cook the 2 1/2 cups of uncooked pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
In a large pan or pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter or oil over medium-low heat.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Add 1 teaspoon chilli powder, 1 teaspoon chilli flakes, 1 teaspoon paprika powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder (reserving salt and sugar for later). Mix well and cook for 30-40 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, keeping the flame low to prevent burning.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Stir in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook, stirring continuously, for about 1 minute to create a roux.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk and 2 cups of dairy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce begins to thicken.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar to the sauce. Stir until dissolved.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce reaches a slightly thick consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 11
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well until the pasta is fully coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) with both top and bottom heat on.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 175 - 13
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish. Top with the extra 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with mixed herbs or oregano.
⏱️ 2 min - 14
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 175 - 15
While the mac and cheese bakes, deep fry the marinated chicken chunks until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
⏱️ 10 min - 16
Coat the fried chicken in 2-3 tablespoons of chilli sauce or sriracha sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 17
Serve the baked mac and cheese hot, topped with the optional spicy chicken chunks if desired.
⏱️ 1 min