Truly Old School Macaroni & Cheese

This is the Mac & Cheese I grew up with, and it is still one of my all time favourite things to eat till today! It's very plain and simple, but very tasty! Very basic yes, but then you can add whatever you feel like - bacon, mushrooms, ham, sundried tomatoes etc. But I love it like this. Simple and just delicious.  My happy comfort food!

This should serve 2 - 3 people, just increase the quantities for more people.

INGREDIENTS

250g macaroni 

400 ml milk

2 TBS butter

1 TBS flour

1 egg (can leave out if you like)

Pinch nutmeg

Freshly ground pepper and salt

About 180 g grated (white) cheddar cheese (or more to taste)

Paprika 

1/2 tsp ground mustard powder (optional) 

2 - 3 tomatoes, sliced 

METHOD

1. Boil the pasta until al dente or to your liking. 

2. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

3. Make your white sauce with the butter, flour and milk, and add nutmeg; egg; mustard powder and salt and pepper to taste. Add most of the cheese and stir until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. 

4. Drain the pasta and add to a bowl and add the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine and then transfer to a greased oven dish.

5. Put tomato slices on top and add the rest of the cheese, and sprinkle some paprika over. 

6. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes or until done to your liking. Tomatoes should be nice and crisp and the cheese melted. 

NOTES:

The egg makes the sauce nice and custardy and I think adds to the flavour and helps it set nicely. 

You can add any spices or herbs you like to enhance flavour. 

Add some fresh herbs on top, and serve.