SPICY MAC & CHEESE

An easy homemade Mac & Cheese pasta dish which is yummy, cheesy and creamy. A comfort food which is popular and loved dish.

Ingredients

1.    Macaroni Pasta – 1 cup

2.    Garlic chopped – 2 tsp

3.    Onion – 1 (big)

4.    Tomato paste – 50 ml

5.    Pepper – 1 tsp

6.    Chilli flakes – 1 tsp

7.    Carrot & capsicum chopped – 1 cup

8.    Boneless chicken strips – 1 cup (optional)

9.    Fresh cream – 120 ml

10. Butter – 1 Tbsp

11. Cheese grated – ½ cup

12. Italian seasoning – 1 Tbsp

13. Pasta water – 1 cup (from drained pasta)

14. Oil – 1 Tbsp

15. Salt

Preparation

1.    Boil enough water to cook the macaroni with salt and oil. Add macaroni and cook till it becomes soft. Strain and keep aside macaroni and water.

2.    For the sauce:  Heat oil in a pan and add chopped garlic. Saute for few seconds. Add the chopped onion, chopped vegetables and chicken. Saute till cooked. Keep it to one half of the pan.

3.    In the other half of pan add butter and tomato paste. Saute well. Add salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Mix well. Add the cream. Mix well.

4.    Now mix well the ingredients in both halves of pan.

5.    Add grated cheese. Mix and add pasta water and boiled pasta.

6.    Stir well and add Italian seasoning.

7.    Garnish with grated cheese and mixed herbs and serve hot.

Tips

1.    Tomato puree can also be used in place of tomato paste.

2.    For baked Mac & Cheese.  Transfer the prepared Mac & Cheese into a baking pan. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top. Bake it at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Ensure adequate sauce for baking.  If the sauce is thick add more pasta water.