It had been a rough week, and it was only Wednesday. At times like these, I live by the concept of “comfort food”. I’m not saying that it is wise, or healthy, to eat like this all the time. But there is a reason we are drawn to rich, indulgent foods, and it’s not just biology. It’s the memories they invoke – Nana or Mum’s cooking, overcast and cold days where a big bowl of pasta warmed you through, a time when calories and weight was irrelevant and you just ate because you enjoyed it and you were hungry.
Perhaps it is all in my head, but after I ate this meal I felt comforted. It didn’t make my problems disappear, but it was a pleasant interlude. And after all, isn’t that enough?
Details
- Prep Time:
30 min - Cook Time:
30 min - Ready Time:
60 min
Ingredients
- 500 grams Pasta (macaroni or other small type)
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, diced
- 1 cup Broccoli florets, roughly chopped
- 1 Bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Cheddar, grated
- 1 cup Parmesan, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
Directions
- Preheat oven to 200*.
- Cook pasta on stove in boiling salted water according to directions.
- Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan heat olive oil over a medium heat.
- Add onions and cook until translucent.
- Add garlic and diced broccoli and briefly fry, being careful not to burn.
- Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan melt butter.
- Add in flour and mustard and cook, stirring for about two minutes until flour mixture has darkened. Make sure there are no lumps!
- Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly. Add bay leaf.
- Turn the heat to low and let simmer, stirring regularly, until the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in 1 cup grated cheddar and 1/2 cup grated parmesan.
- Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat. Remove bay leaf.
- Add back in onion, garlic and broccoli mixture.
- Stir through pasta and pour into a greased baking dish.
- Top with breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup parmesan.
- Turn oven down to 180 and cook for 15-20 minutes until topping is browned and crunchy.
- Serve with a side salad (because it's all about balance right?!)
19.02.12 | 
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by email:
Yum! Kate and I were just talking about Mac & Cheese last week; I might be stealing this recipe
I also see we own the same set of two-handed oven mitts.
That is definitely all that counts! Comfort food is needed sometimes. My preferred version comes in the form of a jar of nutella!
I think bad weeks have definitely been going around of late! Good to see that you found something to console!