Macaroni and cheese is a favorite childhood dish for many. Even after you become an adult the craving for this fun and tasty dish still remains. You can find macaroni and cheese from various brands in the market. They are easy to cook in the oven too. However, if you can make them from scratch at home, the level of satisfaction will be different. Macaroni and cheese will turn out to be tastier too.

The little golden macaroni looks very attractive. The powdered cheese that the box contains melts nicely when heated. But imagine having your homemade macaroni with freshly grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese. I am sure you can't wait for it to melt in your mouth. So, let's try making our favorite mac and cheese at home.

Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni – ½ cup
• Butter – ½ cup
• All-purpose flour – ½ cup
• Salt – ½ teaspoon
• Milk – 4 cups
• Cheddar cheese – 1 pound, shredded
• Butter – ¼ cup, melted
• Buttery round crackers – 1 sleeve, crushed

Method

• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C
• Put a pot on the stovetop. Add water and salt. Bring it to a boil.
• Pour the elbow macaroni into the water and cook. Stir occasionally. When it becomes tender, take it out of the stove. Drain it well.
• Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and salt. Cook for 2 minutes. Add milk and simmer.
• Make sure to stir constantly till the mixture thickens. Turn the flame off.
• Add cheddar cheese and wait for it to melt. Add macaroni and stir.

Pour the content into a baking dish. Add butter and crushed crackers. Bake till the macaroni mixture turns golden brown. It will take approximately 45 minutes.

Storing

You can store macaroni and cheese in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Make sure you put them in an airtight container. When you take it out for reheating, splash some milk over it so that it doesn't get dry. You can either heat it over your stove or in the microwave. You won't find any difference in taste.

How healthy is macaroni and cheese?

It is a high-calorie food that gives you a lot of energy. If you eat it in moderate amounts then it is good for your health. You can reduce the amount of cheese if you have high blood pressure.

How to make macaroni and cheese a healthier choice?

You can replace butter with olive oil. Parmesan cheese has fewer calories than cheddar cheese, so you can use that. Add herbs and spices instead of adding more cream and butter. You can add veggies like carrots and broccoli. You can also add slices of cooked chicken to add more nutrition to your body.

Variations

• Macaroni cheese lasagne
• Macaroni cheese with fish
• Macaroni cheese with bacon
• Green bean mac n' cheese
• Mac n'cheese with smoked haddock

Macaroni and cheese is a very simple dish. You can make it rich by adding more ingredients like meat, fish, veggies, and herbs. If you have one bowl of mac n' cheese stuffed with these healthy ingredients you won't feel hungry throughout the day and get a lot of energy to work. Cooking it is quite easy. So, you can prepare it after coming home from work. It's a wonderful dish that every member of your family will enjoy. So, try this recipe today and surprise your loved ones.

Macaroni and cheese is a favorite childhood dish for many. Even after you become an adult the craving for this fun and tasty dish still remains. You can find macaroni and cheese from various brands in the market. They are easy to cook in the oven too. However, if you can make them from scratch at home, the level of satisfaction will be different. Macaroni and cheese will turn out to be tastier too.

The little golden macaroni looks very attractive. The powdered cheese that the box contains melts nicely when heated. But imagine having your homemade macaroni with freshly grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese. I am sure you can't wait for it to melt in your mouth. So, let's try making our favorite mac and cheese at home.

Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni – ½ cup
• Butter – ½ cup
• All-purpose flour – ½ cup
• Salt – ½ teaspoon
• Milk – 4 cups
• Cheddar cheese – 1 pound, shredded
• Butter – ¼ cup, melted
• Buttery round crackers – 1 sleeve, crushed

Method

• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C
• Put a pot on the stovetop. Add water and salt. Bring it to a boil.
• Pour the elbow macaroni into the water and cook. Stir occasionally. When it becomes tender, take it out of the stove. Drain it well.
• Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and salt. Cook for 2 minutes. Add milk and simmer.
• Make sure to stir constantly till the mixture thickens. Turn the flame off.
• Add cheddar cheese and wait for it to melt. Add macaroni and stir.

Pour the content into a baking dish. Add butter and crushed crackers. Bake till the macaroni mixture turns golden brown. It will take approximately 45 minutes.

Storing

You can store macaroni and cheese in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Make sure you put them in an airtight container. When you take it out for reheating, splash some milk over it so that it doesn't get dry. You can either heat it over your stove or in the microwave. You won't find any difference in taste.

How healthy is macaroni and cheese?

It is a high-calorie food that gives you a lot of energy. If you eat it in moderate amounts then it is good for your health. You can reduce the amount of cheese if you have high blood pressure.

How to make macaroni and cheese a healthier choice?

You can replace butter with olive oil. Parmesan cheese has fewer calories than cheddar cheese, so you can use that. Add herbs and spices instead of adding more cream and butter. You can add veggies like carrots and broccoli. You can also add slices of cooked chicken to add more nutrition to your body.

Variations

• Macaroni cheese lasagne
• Macaroni cheese with fish
• Macaroni cheese with bacon
• Green bean mac n' cheese
• Mac n'cheese with smoked haddock

Macaroni and cheese is a very simple dish. You can make it rich by adding more ingredients like meat, fish, veggies, and herbs. If you have one bowl of mac n' cheese stuffed with these healthy ingredients you won't feel hungry throughout the day and get a lot of energy to work. Cooking it is quite easy. So, you can prepare it after coming home from work. It's a wonderful dish that every member of your family will enjoy. So, try this recipe today and surprise your loved ones.

If you are a pizza lover but want to avoid the carbohydrate then you must try the pizza salad. It has similar toppings to the pizza, but these are laid on a lettuce bed. In plain terms, it is a combination of pizza and salad.

Ingredients

• Romaine lettuce – 6 cups
• Tomatoes – ½ cup, chopped
• Pepperoncini – ¼ cup chopped
• Red onion – ¼ cup, sliced
• Mozarella cheese – 4 oz
• Parmesan cheese – 2 tablespoons
• Bell pepper – 1, chopped
• Mayonnaise – ¼ cup
• Red wine vinegar – 2 tablespoon
• Italian seasoning – ½ teaspoon
• Oregano – ½ teaspoon
• Salt – ¼ teaspoon
• Pizza crust – crispy flatbread cut into wedges

Ingredients Explained

Romaine lettuce: It has a crunchy base which can be a substitute for pizza crust in this case. It is full of nutrients and healthier than iceberg lettuce.

Pepperoncini: It is a kind of Italian hot chili pepper.

Italian seasoning: It consists of dried basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and marjoram.

Flatbread: A substitute for pizza bread in the pizza salad.

Croutons: small toasted pieces of bread

Pizza crust

You can create any crust for this salad. For example, pre-made flatbread. If you already have flatbread in your freezer then you can use that instead of making a new one.

Once the crust is ready prepare the surface of the pizza to add the toppings. For this, you need to brush in oil and sprinkle some herbs or Italian seasoning. For this salad, you don't need a crust. If you don't want to make crust then you can put breadsticks or croutons instead.

Making flatbread for pizza salad at home

Ingredients:

• Plain flour – 2 cups
• Salt – ½ cup
• Unsalted butter – 50 gam
• Milk – ¾ cup

Method for making flatbread

First, melt the butter in milk by heating it on a stove or microwave. Mix the flour and salt. Then add butter and milk. Knead the batter for 2 minutes until it becomes smooth. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes. Wrap it with cling wrap. Cut dough into 6 pieces. Roll each of the pieces 20 cm thick. Then heat a non-stick pan and put on high heat. Place the flatbed carefully in the pan. Cook for 2 minutes. You will notice that the bottom part of the flatbread has turned yellow. This indicates that the side is done. So, flip to do the other side. Your flatbread will be crispy. When serving you can cut the flatbreads into triangles

Instructions for making pizza salad

• Take a large bowl and mix romaine, pepperoncini, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, olives, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
• In another bowl combine mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, red pepper, and oregano.
• Put the dressing on the salad.
• Place the croutons or flatbreads on top.

Storing

You can store the pizza salad leftovers in airtight containers inside the fridge. It will stay in good condition for a week.

This dish is best served immediately. You can make the dressing early but don't mix it. You can also cut the vegetables the night before and store them in the fridge. But do the mixing before serving to get all the flavors.

Health factors

Pizza salad is healthier than pizza. If you are trying to lose weight and still crave pizza then this dish is a good substitute for you. You get all the taste and flavor of pizza without the carb base. You can customize the salad according to your preference. You can change the veggies as well. It has lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein. This salad will give you energy and support your immune system.

If you find making flatbread or croutons difficult then prepare this salad without them or buy these from the market. The crunchiness of flatbread or crouton tastes awesome. You can enjoy this salad any time of the day.