VEG MACARONI CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix 3 tbsp of the milk with the cornflour and warm the remaining milk in a pan. Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the boil, tip in the macaroni and cook for 6 mins, stirring occasionally.
• To make the sauce, stir the cornflour mix into the warm milk and keep stirring over a low heat until thick and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in most of the cheddar (leaving a little to sprinkle over at the end) along with the Grana Padano and pepper to taste.
• Drain the macaroni well, then stir into the sauce. Squeeze the excess moisture from the spinach by pressing it into a fine sieve. Divide the spinach between four individual ovenproof dishes, followed by the tomatoes. Spoon the macaroni cheese over the veg, then finish with a sprinkle of the remaining cheddar. Bake for 15-20 mins or until the sauce bubbles and browns on top.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
  2. Trim, halve and wash the leek and peel the garlic, then finely slice with the broccoli stalks, reserving the florets for later.
  3. Place the sliced veg in a large casserole pan over a medium heat with the butter, then strip in the thyme leaves and cook for 15 minutes, or until softened, stirring regularly.
  4. Stir in the flour, followed slowly by the milk, then simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened, stirring regularly.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water for 5 minutes, then drain.
  6. Grate the Parmesan and most of the Cheddar into the sauce, and mix well. Tip into a blender, add the spinach and whiz until smooth – you may need to work in batches.
  7. Season to perfection with sea salt and black pepper, then stir through the pasta and broccoli florets, loosening with a splash of milk, if needed.
  8. Transfer to a 25cm x 35cm baking dish, grate over the remaining Cheddar and scatter over the almonds. Bake for 30 minutes, or until beautifully golden and bubbling.