Helens comfort recipes – Cheesy Pasta

When my daughter is a little under the weather (by that I mainly mean teething) she, like her brother before her, seems to prefer blander, ‘comfy’ food. Spaghetti bolognese and shepherd’s pie seemed to be too much for her this week, so today, instead of resorting to eggy bread (again), I decided to try her with macaroni cheese, baby style. I tried to take a photograph of the finished result, but she was ravenous and couldn’t wait for me to find the camera. My poor half starved child.

Cheesy Pasta

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon plain flour
Half a pint full fat milk
2oz grated cheese (I use a mild one)
Handful pasta

Boil pasta and cook according to instructions. Drain.

Now there are two ways of making your cheese sauce.

Method one – On the hob
Melt the butter slowly in a saucepan.
Gradually stir in the flour. I use a small whisk. Make a paste.
Gradually add the milk, whisking all the time.
The sauce will thicken, so keep stirring.
Add grated cheese.
I tend to make the sauce thickish so when it is added to the drained pasta it will thin slightly. But If too thick add a little more milk.

Method Two – Microwave
Place flour in microwavable jug.
Add milk and whisk to eliminate lumps.
Add butter
Place in microwave for 50 seconds.
Take out. Whisk.
Repeat process until sauce is thick.
Add grated cheese.

Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce. Blend if required.
Serve.

You could also add steamed cauliflower or broccoli to the sauce/pasta mixture.

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