{"id":"7c0cc6da-7cca-4d01-854c-deb48e751122","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/7c0cc6da-7cca-4d01-854c-deb48e751122","source_url":"https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-ever-macaroni-cheese-recipe","title":"Best ever macaroni cheese recipe","description":"This perfect baked macaroni cheese recipe comes with a creamy cheese sauce, a hint of mustard and uses leftover French stick for its crunchy topping","servings":4,"servings_text":"4 servings","prep_time":"PT10M","cook_time":"PT40M","total_time":"PT50M","ingredients":[{"text":"50g baguette cut into small chunks","item":"baguette cut into small chunks","quantity":50,"unit":"g"},{"text":"2 tbsp butter plus 1 tbsp melted","item":"butter plus 1 tbsp melted","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"350g spiral or other short pasta","item":"spiral or other short pasta","quantity":350,"unit":"g"},{"text":"1 garlic clove finely chopped","item":"garlic clove finely chopped","quantity":1},{"text":"1 tsp English mustard powder","item":"English mustard powder","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"3 tbsp plain flour","item":"plain flour","quantity":3,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"500ml whole milk","item":"whole milk","quantity":500,"unit":"ml"},{"text":"250g vegetarian mature cheddar grated","item":"vegetarian mature cheddar grated","quantity":250,"unit":"g"},{"text":"50g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated","item":"parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)","quantity":50,"unit":"g","preparation":"grated"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the baguette chunks over a baking sheet, drizzle with the melted butter and season. Bake for 6 mins until crisp, then set aside."},{"number":2,"text":"Boil the pasta for 2 mins less than stated on the pack, then drain."},{"number":3,"text":"Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the garlic and English mustard powder, cook for 1 min, then stir in the plain flour."},{"number":4,"text":"Cook for 1 min more, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce."},{"number":5,"text":"Simmer for 5 mins, whisking all the time until thickened. Take off the heat, then stir in the cheddar and half the parmesan."},{"number":6,"text":"Stir the pasta and some seasoning into the cheesy sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, or four individual dishes."},{"number":7,"text":"Scatter over the bread and the remaining parmesan, then bake for 20 mins until crisp and golden. Can be frozen before baking – defrost thoroughly before cooking."}],"date_published":"2026-10-30T19:04:46.396357+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-30T19:04:46.396357+00:00"}