Macaroni cheese recipe | Pasta recipes & main courses

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macaroni cheese

main courses | serves 4 - 6
This is my twist on the old-school frumpy Anglicized dish of macaroni cheese. Using these four different cheeses together, each one with its own characteristics, works really well. For the classic finish, it has to be popped under the grill to crisp up and go brown on top – lovely. Once you see how quick it is, you won’t be making any bechamels or claggy old sauces for a long time.

Preheat your oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Cook the macaroni in a pan of salted boiling water 2 minutes short of the timing on the packet instructions, then drain in a colander and reserve a little of the cooking water. Heat the butter in a large heavy-based frying pan. When it starts to foam, add the marjoram or oregano and fry for a minute until it starts to crisp up, then turn off the heat. Add your cooked pasta to the marjoram or oregano butter, along with a couple of spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water and the Parmesan, fontina or taleggio and mascarpone. Return to a medium heat and toss and stir around until most of the cheese has melted and you have a lovely gooey sauce – you may need to add a little more of the reserved cooking water. Season to taste, then tip it all into an earthenware dish. Grate over the nutmeg, tear over the mozzarella and sprinkle over the extra Parmesan. Bake the macaroni cheese in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, finishing up with a quick whack under the grill, until golden brown and crispy on top.

• from Cook With Jamie

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ingredients

• 500g/1lb 2oz good-quality macaroni
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• a knob of butter
a small bunch of fresh marjoram or oregano, leaves picked
• 100g/3½oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for grating
• 100g/3½oz fontina or taleggio cheese, roughly torn
• 100g/3½oz mascarpone cheese
• ¼ of a nutmeg
a small ball of buffalo mozzarella cheese

user comments

56 comments

1. Sarah C Wed 03 Feb 2010 @ 19:14 Get a handfull of chese and onion crisps....bash them up and sprinkle on the Mac'n'Cheese before they go under the grill.........by god they are amazing!!

2. saiful Sun 04 Oct 2009 @ 07:44 I love your recipes because it is taste like miracles and so delicious

3. laurissa Fri 10 Jul 2009 @ 09:44 well this website is very good and you can do so many things hope for more recipes laurissaxx

4. Dorothee Fri 26 Jun 2009 @ 06:57 It is not a nice thing to tell people to spell better or they are not taken seriously. A lot of people have problems with it, that doesn't make them any less smart than you or me. Just think about it, before putting someone else down please.

5. sarah Fri 05 Jun 2009 @ 19:22 Oops! Ignore the last comment, I made a different recipe.

6. chris and ciara ireland Sun 24 May 2009 @ 22:21 hi jamie myself and my daughter have started our own garden after watching one of your shows. WELL DONE JAMIE

7. Linda Mon 18 May 2009 @ 15:59 Hello from Canada Jamie!
Love your shows...love your recipes...love your commitment to helping others....so why swear on tv? I myself have been known to utter a few expletives upon a frustrating occasion or twelve but not in front of kids or anyone I know would be offended. You are able to teach kids a more broadened vocabulary and you are showing common courtesy ,for the most part, to the latter. Our programming is inundated with profanity that is simply not needed. While you are working towards a healthier diet for the younger generation , why not show them a healthier vocabulary choice?? A role model holds the awesome task of responsible behaviour.
Keep up all of your good works!

8. Kelly Mon 18 May 2009 @ 09:52 Hi made this macaroni and it is a favourite with the family, although I am unable to find fontina or taleggio cheese and have been using normal cheese instead which is making it quite dry. Can anyone recommend any alternatives that would be easy to find in the super markets ? (something creamy?)

9. alice Thu 07 May 2009 @ 14:08 i LOOOOVVVVVVVE macoroni cheese!!!!!!!!!!

10. Toby Tobin Tue 28 Apr 2009 @ 16:45 Can you repeat the question in ENGLISH please!

11. TAHIRA Sun 26 Apr 2009 @ 18:55 HI Jamie,
I WATCH EVERY EPISODE OF YOUR COOKING AND AM DELIGHTED TO SAY THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS A BIG FAN OF YOUR COOKING.
KEEP THE HARD WORK GOING MATE
GOOD LUCK
TAHIRA

12. anonymous Wed 01 Apr 2009 @ 13:06 macoroni and chese ishh delicouss buh cn yu use pasta in stead of macaroni ?

13. Ana Tue 24 Mar 2009 @ 16:57 Jamie you are an inspiration. Thank you!

14. NATURE XD Mon 16 Mar 2009 @ 13:39 could we replace the macaroni with pasta? 0.0

15. suckysucky Sun 08 Mar 2009 @ 20:16 Is it wierd that I think of macaroni cheese is a cheesey dish in pasta? I mean it is obviously not that more of a chciekn casorole-ish type meal! Anyway time to praise the chef! Amazing Jamie! (It's more likely to get on if u praise Jamie)

16. suckysucky Thu 26 Feb 2009 @ 17:34 What is macaroni cheese??
From
Markkkkkkkkk 111111BBBBBBB

17. David Thu 12 Feb 2009 @ 06:48 Jamie, your a true inspiration to all, love the shows.

18. carole Mon 09 Feb 2009 @ 16:07 couldnt get any fresh oregano or marjoram - has anyone used dried herbs instead? is the result as good?

19. suckysucky Sun 08 Feb 2009 @ 16:36 this is wonderfullllllllllllll...jamie jamie jamie what can i say, YOUR A STAR..mark also loves you

20. suckysucky Fri 06 Feb 2009 @ 16:35 Oh, Oh yeh!!! THis is the best macaroni cheese ever! Pratically orgasmic!!! This is the best food i have eaten from the chef i have ever seen! Bring on more recipes you great, great man, you brilliant chef!

21. Pedro Cardoso Mon 26 Jan 2009 @ 21:02 Hi Jamie, im writting from Portugal. My family loves yours TV shows and we hope to veiw you making Portuguese recipes. Our olive oil is the best of the world!!! Dont stop to made wonderful things,

Best regards

22. Enza Mon 19 Jan 2009 @ 12:42 Hi Jamie

My son is a big fan of ours as well as myself he has been watching you cook on tv since he was 2 years old he is now 10. We watch all your shows and write down the recipes, so we can make them.

You are the best.

23. Abi Sat 10 Jan 2009 @ 17:43 i love all your recipes, im only gone 16 and cook for my whole family nearly everyday. i reli wan2 become a faous chef wen im older nd open my own restaurants..love ur work

24. Sally and Charley Wed 07 Jan 2009 @ 10:28 hey jamie boy...me and my friend just love the delicious mac 'n' cheese. Your such a talented chef and we both hope that one day we can cook like you. Every night we cook a different one of your amazing meals and think of you while we are eating. We also have matching aprons with your face on them, they are our prized posession!!!!
it is safe to say we are your biggest fans.
s & c
xxx

25. lauren Thu 18 Dec 2008 @ 12:09 Hi, I am from a family that enjoys cooking and I myself learnt from my mom at a really early age to cook various home stlye meals. My moms a great cook and teacher which my boyfriend appreciates cause he loves my cooking. I am 21years old and would just like to say so many people my age do not know how to cook! I myself do not use many receipes as the knowledge has been past down from my mom its all in my head. But its scary at how young people buy so many ready made meals cause they just dont know about real good tasty home cooked food, I am glad somebody is finally teaching the nation, keep up the good work, I know you will cause its a passion, well it is for me at least.
Oh would like to say to the girl in the above post - its lovely to see you enjoy cooking at your age, as long as your enjoy cooking and have a passion for it then you will go a long way.

26. Ross Wed 17 Dec 2008 @ 10:58 this recipe is insane i think that shea would like it!!!! I might have to steal this recipe!!!

27. Nuno Coutinho Mon 15 Dec 2008 @ 16:05 I Jamie, Im 17 years old and I am a big fan of yours, I see you in Portugal, I'd like to be like you.
Keep Going :D

28. Mark Fox 11b Fri 12 Dec 2008 @ 09:49 I think this is a superb recipe!!! Thanks Jamie I love you - your an excelent chef, one of the best in my opinion!!! YOUR MY HERO!!!!

29. jackie Tue 02 Dec 2008 @ 05:50 hi jamie! im a big fan of yours! i really love your show and i learned a lot from you. im 26 years old i want to be like you somewhere, somehow.i hope you cook for me someday...take care (;>

30. mike mc Sat 29 Nov 2008 @ 11:41 I suppose what impressed me most about this recipe is that my son who only ever eats nuggets and chips really loved it and I mean really loved it!
He's only 4 and has been a nightmare with what he will and won't eat so this is great.
Thanks

31. cc Sat 22 Nov 2008 @ 04:53 I love it when all the "illiterates" comment on the food and recipes. Here's a word of advice to all you naysayers.....check your spelling and grammar - well before you post, then you might add a modicum of credibility to this site which is meant to promote good cooking ideas. If you can't manage, well - good-bye.

32. Nia Sun 16 Nov 2008 @ 20:03 It is a very interesting version, and certainly quicker than making a bechamel. Now, what I need is the right side dish or second course to eat with it! If I never cook mac and cheese it's because I never know what to combine it with! It's too rich to go with meat and just veggies doesn't seem enough food.

33. Amy Sun 16 Nov 2008 @ 09:07 Thank you so much Jamie - you have revolutionised our lives - we never really cooked before and now we cook most evenings! Your recipies are easy to follow and taste amazing!

34. Laura D Sun 16 Nov 2008 @ 07:21 Hi Jamie,
Love your work. Going to cook the mac and cheese tonight. Hey, just wondering if you can help me out with a recipe. I went out for dinner in Melbourne a couple of months ago and had the most amazing dish. It was 'Mushroom Bolognaise' (I am a vego) and dying to know how to cook it. The chick serving me started telling me and got in trouble. She said you use the same amount of mushrooms as you would meat. I am desperate to know how to make this as I am a very fussy eater and find it hard to find healthy nutritious food that i actually enjoy.
Thanks for all your recipes online. I am going to request that my boyfriend gives me one of your books for Christmas.

35. Annie Thu 13 Nov 2008 @ 10:31 Jamie - you have a huge heart and are so passionate about others eating well. Keep it up - you will never know how many people's lives you have changed for the better but I am guessing it is many :)

36. beserka1988 Tue 11 Nov 2008 @ 10:45 hey any chance getting your stuff to USA

37. Paul Williams Mon 20 Oct 2008 @ 14:41 Stop swearing, not all working class people talk like you seem to think. Its boring, its not big and it's not clever.

38. ellie Mon 20 Oct 2008 @ 10:06 i think your food looks very horrible there all burnt and look like dog shit i wouldnt even feed it to the birds.

39. Sam Sat 18 Oct 2008 @ 00:58 totally agree on the language thing jamie fella, dont turn into Gordon Ramsey on us, your better than him . . if you just tone it down a notch, it means the whole family can watch you converting us northerners into master-chefs , rather than me sitting with my 11 year old, and you shouting F this F that every other 5 minutes, no need, we know your a ' geezer ' but stay on everyones good sides .. in the long run , itll mean more people watch , more people cook , you sell more jars of 'jamies pasta sauce ' you make more money, people want more jamie oliver cookbooks ... winner.

40. gemma Fri 17 Oct 2008 @ 15:39 I agree some of the recipes are a little pricey but alot of the nation are spending between 10 - 20 pounds in one night on one meal on a takeaway so i would rather spend 10-20 pounds on a decent meal. You can also buy cheaper alternatives. Keep up the good work Jamie!

Gem xx

41. Michela Thu 16 Oct 2008 @ 13:45 Ma non è giustoooooooooooo...........................perchè non ci sono le ruicette in italiano, io impazzisco per i suoi piatti :(

42. cassie Thu 16 Oct 2008 @ 12:23 Hi Jamie, just to let you know that I saw your show "The ministry of Food" last week in Australia, and I loved it! What an inspiration you are. I hope that more people will take on the challenge, and cook from scratch. If you could just tone down the language, I would be your number one fan!

43. michelle arnold Wed 15 Oct 2008 @ 10:06 Hello Jamie,
I think what you are doing is fantastic but It's a pity you feel the need to swear every 5 seconds and for that reason I do not allow my children aged between 9 and 15 to watch. I am aware they probably use the odd expletive themselves when with their peers but never in-front of adults. I think if you make any more programmes it would be a good idea to tone down the language inorder for the whole family to watch and learn to cook together!
Keep cooking.

44. Gemma Tue 14 Oct 2008 @ 13:25 This programme is a real inspiration for everyone! Jamie, your energy and determination always gets me dreaming of what delicious meal to serve up next. I nearly cried when that lady on the show made pancakes for her kids, she was so proud of herself and wow - now she's got a vegetable patch in the garden!! 'Take Away Queen' becomes a vegetable gardener! amazing!! love it.

45. teri Tue 14 Oct 2008 @ 10:32 ello jamie this recipe looks great

i should try and make this recipe when i get home

or get my mum to cook this for me

thanks

p.s your show is great seen them all

46. tad Mon 13 Oct 2008 @ 22:42 best mac and cheese on the planet.

47. Ageing Agnus Mon 13 Oct 2008 @ 09:44 Sir oliver.
I love your sour crack. your wife makes me jealous.
I want to go to a romantic dinner with you that you have cooked...
All the trimmings DIN DINS :)
And maybe you can put your but in my face...yummy scrummy for me tummy.
I need you oliver.
Your my life.....

Agnus Anus.

48. Richie Sat 11 Oct 2008 @ 21:30 hello there jamie. i am very inspired by you. i am fourteen years old and i was wondering if you know any good recipes for nachos or pasta or any good desserts. by the way love the shows and if i become a professional chef i will take a trip to london and give you a visit. your biggest fan, Richie Enge

49. chloe Fri 10 Oct 2008 @ 12:56 very nice

50. Jordan Mon 06 Oct 2008 @ 17:13 I think your recipe tasted like 200 pounds of bird poo!!!!!!

51. Luke Sun 05 Oct 2008 @ 23:23 Hi Jamie, big fan of the show
your Macaroni Cheese recipe is by far my favourite
do you know any other fantastic pasta recipes like a more spiced up Spaghetti Carbonera?
i am fifteen and my dad says i should be a chef because i love to cook
yours truly Luke

52. Katie t Sat 04 Oct 2008 @ 21:06 hi,I am Katie i am Only 12 And i wat to say i watch all your television programs and hve tried some of your recipes(well i dont think they turned out as good as yours).i want to be a chef when i grow you have inspired me so much

goodbye from your number 1 fan katie t
p.s i love your new show

53. teresa Wed 01 Oct 2008 @ 18:31 hi jamie watched the show last night it was brilliant. I hate to cook and would rather get a take away then cook i cant understand why i hate to cook because my mam is a cook and so was my brother.Sometimes i get the feeling to cook and when i make it i say that was horrible. i love all veg so if u have any stirfry recipes i would try them because its not fare on my kids to be eating take aways all the time. thanks xxx

54. katie Wed 01 Oct 2008 @ 16:43 hi jamie!
love all your tv shows and books (the bookshelf is littered with my mums gazzilion copies, she says you are 'a very nice looking young man' haha).
i am fifteen and really have a passion for cooking, i just love doing something that makes me feel good about myself and am always looking for new tips and tricks to experiment with- some which turn out disasterously, but its all good fun :)
i really wanted to suggest an idea of mine; not many of my friends cook and i try to get them round to my house and just get them in the kitchen but they never seem very motivated, so i was wondering if you already have or would consider creating a book or some recipies on a show or on the website especially for teens because i really think it would help to get people inspired and also to start living healthier lives. I dont want to sound old but i also think it will bring back time together with the family and helping out our parents.
looking forward to cooking macaroni cheese tonight!
x

55. gjcox Wed 01 Oct 2008 @ 10:52 The ingredients for all his recipes in his new programme will cost a fortune and out of reach of most family ,as the lady said hes living in a bubble

56. Rachel Wed 01 Oct 2008 @ 08:26 heyyy Jamie!
your an awesome cook!
i love your daughters especially poppy ! shes soooo cute!
im 13 years old and i want to become a proffesional cook, i found i had a talent for cooking when i hadnt got any other mark that A in food technology.
For an assignment i made something quite challenging for my first time cooking.
I made a delicious risotto, marinated steak with a cucumber salad, and tiramisu for dessert. the risotto was perfect, the steak was cooked perfectly (well done) and the marinade was delicious. The cucumber salad was very refreshing aswell, and omg the tiramisu was so perfect i made it in a sort of mold and turned it out onto a plate and me, and my 10 friends finished it within 5 seconds.. well.. maybey not..
do you have any tips for getting noticed, erm.. like for a really good career? ive already decided to go to university to study a bachelor of cooking degree, but is there anything else i can do besides practicing?
i go to cooking classes on the weekend and i find my self reading recipes, and cooking meals for me and my two brothers.

any tips would be appreciated.
xoxoxo