Masala Mac and Cheese
Masala Mac and Cheese - Indian spin to the classic Mac and Cheese which is spicy, creamy and cheesy (no cream added)
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups macaroni pasta
- 1 small onion, finley chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
- 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons ginger, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder mild
- ¾ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 cup mild cheddar, grated
- ½ cup any other grated cheese (like pepper jack, mozzarella, gruyere)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ inch cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped parsley or coriander leaves
- salt to taste
Optional if baking
- ½ cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
Cooking the pasta
- In a large pot, bring water to boil. Add salt to the boiling water and stir till dissolved.
- Add macaroni pasta, mix it and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Do not over cook. Drain the pasta, spread it in a plate and add little butter or olive oil.
Procedure
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and cinnamon stick. Sauté for 30-45 seconds. Add the finely diced onion and quarter teaspoon of salt. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the jalapeno, ginger and garlic and saute for one minute.
- Reduce the heat to low, add butter and flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux. You will see the flour slightly bubbling up.
- Now add the red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala and ¼ salt and saute for 30- 45 seconds.
- Add tomato paste and red bell pepper and cook for a minute.
- Now slowly add the milk little at a time and mix till no lumps.
- Add half cup pasta water, sugar and black pepper and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Keep the flame low-medium.
- Add the grated cheeses little by little and mix till completely melted. Taste the cheese sauce and adjust the salt, and spices. Remove the cinnamon stick.
- Add the cooked macaroni and coat it with the cheesy sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add finely chopped parsley or coriander leaves.
- You can serve the spicy mac and cheese at this point or you can also bake it for few minutes.
Baking (optional)
- If planning to bake, heat the oven to 350 F. Transfer the mac and cheese to a oven safe skillet, top it with cheddar cheese and panko bread crumbs. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the foil and broil for 3-4 minutes ( not more than that, if not the bread crumbs will burn)
Notes
Start with less salt, and add as needed.
If you like it less spicy, remove the seeds from the jalapeno.