Microwave Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Versatile and Easy Mac & Cheese Recipe for Microwave
Oct 19, 2009
Macaroni is synonymous with Italian dishes and is widely accepted to originate in Italy. According to Clifford Wright, the American mac and cheese dish originated when Thomas Jefferson introduced macaroni to the country after returning from his travels around Europe, and specifically Italy. Today macaroni and cheese recipes uses various cheeses in the recipe, but the most commonly used cheese appears to be cheddar cheese in order to enhance the flavor.
Basic Microwave Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
- 250g (½ Pound) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 500 ml (2 cups) of hot water
- 45 ml (3 tablespoons) butter or margarien
- 125 ml (½ cup) finely chopped onion
- 1.25 ml (¼ teaspoon) salt
- 1.25 ml (¼ teaspoon) ground black pepper
- 560 ml (2 ¼ cups) milk
- 360g (3 cups) cheddar cheese
- 85 ml (? cup) flour
Directions:
- Place macaroni, water, butter/margarien, onion, salt and pepper in a 3 l (3 quart) microwaveable casserole.
- Cook covered for 5 ½ minutes at full power and stir after 2 ½ minutes.
- Place casserole in microwave again and cook for another 5 minutes at 50% power or until water is absorbed. Stir again after 2 ½ minutes.
- Cut cheddar cheese into 1cm cubes.
- Mix a small amount of the milk with the flour to form a paste. Add the rest of the milk and ensure no lumps formed.
- Add the cheese and milk and flour mixture to the macaroni.
- Place in microwave and cook for 21 to 26 minutes on 50% power or until the sauce is thickened. Stir at least twice during cooking.
- Leave the casserole standing covered for 5 minutes before serving.
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Variations to Macaroni and Cheese Recipe by Adding Vegetables
To liven up the traditional macaroni and cheese dish several vegetables can be added to the recipe to create either a side dish serving up to eight people or a main dish for four. Add a cup of cut corn or 1 ½ cups of sliced spinach or 1 ½ cups of diced broccoli to the casserole simultaneously with the cheese and cook as above to prepare a vegetable dish with a unique taste and flavor.
Variations to the Macaroni and Cheese Recipe by Adding Meat
Many people prefer a main course that includes meat of some form. By varying the ingredients of the macaroni and cheese recipe, even the most discerning taste buds will be satisfied. Add one of the ingredients below after the macaroni is tender:-
- 250 g fried diced bacon
- 250g cooked minced meat
- 250 ml (1 cup) Vienna sliced into thin slices or diced
- 250 ml (1 cup) diced or sliced Russian/ Frankfurter
The sauce of the macaroni and cheese dish will continue to thicken the longer and stands. This macaroni and cheese dish can be frozen and re-heated at a later stage. Mac and cheese will remain a versatile and favorite dish in all households.
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