Mac and Cheese With Veggies and a Twist

Mac and cheese not in the traditional way but with a twist.More  rich and creamier  with the goodness of veggies.


Preparation time - 10 min
Cooking time - 30 min

Ingredients :-

1. 1 cup Macaroni pasta
2. 1 cup milk
3. 2 cups water
4. 1 tspn salt ( use as per your taste )
5. Chopped mixed veggies ( I added coloured bell peppers ,Serrano chilly,half of a large onion,1 small Potato,about 1/4th cup of frozen peas and corn )
6. Half table spoon of butter for frying the mixed veggies.
7. 1 tablespoon of butter
8. Less than 1/4 th cup maida or all purpose flour
9. 1 cup milk
10. Mixture of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese 1/4 th cup( Out of this keep little cheese separate as topping) if you like more cheesy you can add little more on top.
11. Black pepper/ Golmorich less than 1/4th teaspoon
12. Crushed red pepper sprinkle (optional )
13. Salt for sprinkling on the veggies and white sauce (We will make the white sauce ) ( as per our taste)
14. Sprinkle of cayenne or red chilly powder.


Note :-

Since we are using salted butter and cheese which already has salt so adjust the salt as per your taste.

Preparation :-

1.To make the pasta creamier I have used a twist that is I will boil the pasta in 1 cup milk + 2 cups water as per the package direction. keeping it little undone so as to cook it when it is baking.

Note - Since we will also bake the pasta so keep the pasta little undone so the rest is cooked when it is baking. I like the texture of pasta little soft so I boiled the pasta for nearly 12 minutes. Adjust it as per your liking.

2. Chop all the veggies into small cubes ( Onion, Potato,Bell Peppers/ Capsicum) chilly i have cut into circles.
3. Thaw the peas and corns if using frozen.
4. Grease the baking dish with butter.

Lets start cooking :-

1. Boil 1 cup milk with 2 cups water and when it comes to a full boil add 1 cup of Macaroni pasta to it along with salt ( I added 1 tspn you adjust as per your taste ).Bring the flame to medium.Cook it as per package instruction but leave it little undone because we will bake it again in the oven. I cooked it approx 12 mins.Add the potatoes to the pasta 5-7 mins before the pasta is done so that the potatoes are also partially cooked with the pasta.

Note :-

Take caution as it has milk so it can bubble up and overflow.I will not strain the pasta so this milk and water mixture along with the potato starch will form a kind of think gravy with the pasta.Keep an eye so that the pasta does not stick to the bottom.If the liquid lessens and pasta is still uncooked add little water at a time to prevent sticking.

2. When the pasta is boiling take another utensil and saute the veggies EXCEPT  the potato and chilly.Add little about half tablespoon butter in a pan add the onion wait till it wilts or turns translucent and then add the veggies and sprinkle of salt and cayenne or red chilly powder.Keep it aside when done.

3. Then we will prepare the white sauce.Add about a tablespoon of butter and when it melts add less than 1/4th cup of maida or all purpose flour and on a low flame mix it till the raw smell goes ,at this point add 1 cup of milk slowly and keep stirring to avoid forming lumps.Add sprinkle of salt and less than 1/4th teaspoon black pepper.Then add the cheese.We want a smooth white sauce.
4. Add the Macaroni pasta and potato boiled with milk and water to the white sauce and mix gently.

5. Take a greased baking dish and pour the White sauce mixed with  Macaroni pasta and potato boiled mixture.Top it with the sauted veggies and the green chilly and sprinkle some more cheese on top.Add crushed red pepper ( optional ) now or after baking .

6. Your oven must be preheated to 350 degree Fahrenheit  that is around 180 deg Celsius before placing the baking dish with the pasta.Bake it for around 15 mins until the cheese is bubbling and melts. this time may vary a little as per your oven.

7. Serve  hot and enjoy anytime or on a winter night this delicious baked pasta.

Pictures :-