The Big Cheese for National Cheese Lovers Day!
๐ It’s National Cheese Lovers Day! ๐
Say hello to ‘The Big Cheese’—a family-favourite dish bursting with cheesy goodness. Think of it as the lovechild of lasagne and macaroni cheese. Yep, it’s THAT good. Featuring a triple cheese dream team—mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan—this dish promises to wow cheese lovers of all ages.
Let’s dive into the ultimate cheesy comfort food adventure! ๐ง
Ingredients
For the Bolognaise Base:
- 500g beef mince
- 1 small carton of tomato passata
- 1 pinch of mixed dried herbs
- 1 beef stock cube
- 100ml water
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 pepper, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped (optional, but hey, more veggies = bonus points!)
- Optional: A handful of chopped fresh tomatoes
For the Cheesy Mac:
- 250g macaroni pasta
- 100g butter
- 1 tsp mustard
- 4 tbsp plain flour
- 200ml milk (more if needed)
- 100g cheddar cheese
- 100g Parmesan cheese
- 1 pack of mozzarella cheese
๐ด Let’s Get Cooking!
Get started on the bolognaise base:
- Heat a drizzle of rapeseed oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and cook until soft and golden.
- Toss in the beef mince and cook until browned.
- Crumble in the stock cube, sprinkle the dried herbs, and pour in the water. Mix well.
- Stir in all your chopped veggies and the passata. Let it bubble gently and reduce until rich and saucy.
Next, whip up the cheese sauce:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan until bubbling. Add the flour and stir to create a smooth roux.
- Stir in the mustard, then gradually add the milk, whisking continuously.
- Mix in half the cheddar and half the Parmesan. Keep whisking until you’ve got a thick, creamy sauce. (Add a splash more milk if it feels too thick!)
Cook the macaroni:
- In a separate pot, cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions. Drain and mix it straight into your cheese sauce.
Assemble the masterpiece:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C.
- In an ovenproof dish, spread the bolognaise sauce across the bottom.
- Spoon the cheesy macaroni mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar and Parmesan, then dot with small blobs of mozzarella.
Bake to golden perfection:
- Place the dish on a baking tray (to catch any cheesy goodness that bubbles over).
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Serve it up:
- Dish up with steamed broccoli, crispy homemade chips, or just enjoy it solo—it’s deliciously filling on its own!
โจ Top Tip: Don’t forget to take a picture before digging in—this dish deserves to be shared (on social media and around the dinner table).
๐ Dig in, cheese lovers, and let the celebration begin! ๐ง๐
Please let me know how you got on! You can email me at hello@millyfyfe.com