This recipe is in categories Healthy eating, Main courses, Snacks,

Difficulty: 2
Comments: Boiling the macaroni requires care, as does using the oven
Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 min + 20 mins
Number of servings: 2
Serving suggestions: With some fresh green salad for a healthy lunch
This is a vegetarian recipe

Macaroni Cheese is a very old dish. There are versions of it going back to the 14th century at least. There is a rich Edwardian version in the History Cookbook, called "Macaroni au Gratin".

This one is much simpler and has probably been made in the homes of ordinary people in a similar way, since the Middle Ages.

Macaroni cheese is homely 'comfort food' - warm, tasty and easy to eat - a favourite with nearly everybody.

• 200g (8oz) macaroni
• 112g ( 4½oz) grated cheese
• 30ml (2 tablespoons) milk/stock
• salt and pepper
• 25g (1oz) butter (optional)

1. Pre heat the oven to 190°C/375°f/Gas Mark 5
2. Bring a pan of water to the boil
3. Put macaroni into the boiling water with a little salt
4. Boil for approx 10mins or until soft
5. When cooked, drain
6. Meanwhile, grease an ovenproof dish with butter
7. Grate the cheese
8. When the Macaroni is cooked and drained, its time to put it all together
9. Layer the cooked macaroni and then the cheese in the dish in alternate layers
10. Finish with a cheese layer
11. Dot with butter (if using) and sprinkle pepper on top
12. Pour the milk/stock over the macaroni
13. Cook in the oven for 15/20 mins until top is brown and cheese melted
    
    If it is made earlier and cooked from cold, allow 30/40mins cooking time
    
    Some people cook the macaroni in milk or stock (or a mixture) and save it when draining the macaroni and use some of it, to pour over at instruction 11