Jamie Oliver’s Dreamy Mac And Cheese Recipe: Fuss-Free Joy

Jamie Oliver’s mac and cheese ignites a flavor explosion that redefines comfort food.

Creamy cheese cascades over perfectly cooked pasta, creating a magical culinary experience.

Bold ingredients dance together, transforming simple components into a gastronomic masterpiece.

Every forkful promises rich, indulgent satisfaction that tingles your senses.

Subtle herb undertones and robust cheese blend seamlessly, elevating this classic dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Generations of food lovers have fallen in love with this recipe’s delectable charm.

This mac and cheese isn’t just a meal, it’s a delicious journey you won’t want to miss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients to Make Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

• Garlic: Select firm, plump cloves with tight, unblemished skin for maximum zest.
• Bay Leaves: Choose fragrant, deep green leaves that are intact and flexible.

• Butter: Pick high-quality, fresh unsalted butter for rich, smooth texture.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour with fine, consistent granulation.
• Milk: Select whole milk for maximum creaminess and depth.

• Macaroni: Opt for premium pasta with smooth, even surface and uniform shape.
• Tomatoes: Pick ripe, firm tomatoes with vibrant color and slight give when pressed.
• Cheddar Cheese: Choose aged cheddar for robust, tangy flavor profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Select authentic, well-aged parmesan with granular texture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Look for traditional, fermented varieties with complex notes.
• Nutmeg: Select whole nutmeg for freshest, most intense aromatic experience.

• Breadcrumbs: Use fresh, fine breadcrumbs for delicate, even golden crust.
• Olive Oil: Select extra virgin olive oil for rich, fruity undertones.
• Fresh Thyme: Choose bright green, aromatic sprigs with strong herbaceous scent.
• Bacon: Pick thick-cut, high-quality bacon with balanced fat-to-meat ratio.

Tools Required for Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

• Large Ovenproof Saucepan: Perfect for creating smooth roux and mixing sauces.
• Whisk: Essential for blending milk into the roux smoothly and preventing lumps.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping garlic, tomatoes, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Great for precise slicing and chopping of garlic and tomatoes.
• Cheese Grater: Helps create perfectly shredded Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Colander: Used for draining cooked pasta.
• Ovenproof Baking Dish: Ideal for transferring and baking the mac and cheese.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring roux and mixing ingredients.
• Skillet: Useful for toasting breadcrumbs and bacon.

Instructions for Cooking Mac and Cheese

• Prepare Flavor Base

Slice garlic into fine pieces and create a smooth roux by melting butter and mixing with flour. Cook garlic until golden, releasing a delightful aroma that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Build Creamy Sauce

Whisk milk into the roux, adding bay leaves and stirring continuously. Let the sauce simmer and thicken, developing a rich and velvety texture that will coat every pasta strand perfectly.

• Cook and Combine Ingredients

Boil pasta in salted water until tender. Drain and fold into the silky sauce, incorporating grated Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Toss in chopped tomatoes and fresh thyme for a burst of freshness. Splash in Worcestershire sauce and a hint of nutmeg to elevate the flavor profile.

• Bake and Crisp

Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish. Bake until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the edges bubble with excitement. Meanwhile, toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and thyme until they transform into a crunchy, golden topping.

• Serve with Flair

Sprinkle crispy bacon over the dish just before serving, adding a final layer of irresistible flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy this comforting, flavor-packed meal that brings warmth and joy to the table.

Recipe Variations for Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

• Enhance Garlic Flavor: Crush garlic cloves gently with the side of a knife before slicing to release more intense aromatics and deepen the overall taste profile.
• Customize Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, fontina, or gouda to create unique flavor dimensions that elevate the classic mac and cheese experience.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Swap regular flour for cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend in the roux, and use gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising on deliciousness.
• Create Veggie-Packed Version: Fold in roasted vegetables like butternut squash, cauliflower, or spinach to boost nutritional value and add extra layers of texture and flavor to the classic comfort dish.

Serving Tips for Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

• Elevate Your Dinner Plate: Scatter fresh thyme leaves over the mac and cheese for a vibrant, herbal pop of color and flavor.
• Pair with Perfect Sides: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pasta.
• Create a Comfort Meal Combo: Add a side of roasted vegetables or garlic bread to transform this mac and cheese into a complete, satisfying meal.
• Customize with Crispy Toppings: Experiment with different crunchy additions like toasted almonds, extra crispy bacon bits, or seasoned breadcrumbs for exciting texture variations.

Storage Guidelines for Mac and Cheese Dish

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare double the recipe and freeze individual portions for quick weeknight meals that save time and reduce stress during busy weeks.
• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container, which keeps it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining its creamy texture and rich flavor.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing, ensuring it stays delicious for up to 2 months without losing its original taste or consistency.
• Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated or frozen mac and cheese by adding a splash of milk when warming, which helps restore its creamy consistency and prevents dryness during reheating.

Creamy Jamie Oliver Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s mac and cheese blends creamy cheddar with crispy bacon for ultimate comfort. Cheese lovers will savor this classic dish that brings rich flavor and satisfying texture to any meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 whole nutmeg, for grating
• 1 litre (4.22 cups) semi-skimmed milk
• 600 g (21.16 oz) dried macaroni
• 150 g (5.29 oz) Cheddar cheese
• 100 g (3.53 oz) Parmesan cheese
• 45 g (1.59 oz) butter
• 10 cloves of garlic
• 8 tomatoes
• 6 bay leaves
• 3 heaped tbsps plain flour
• 3 big handfuls of fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 splashes of Worcestershire sauce
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme
• Olive oil
• Diced cooked bacon (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Melt butter in an ovenproof saucepan, whisking flour into a smooth paste. Sauté garlic slivers until golden, then introduce bay leaves and gradually stream milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps.
2. Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, ensuring a tender yet firm texture. Simultaneously, roughly chop tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
3. Create Sauce: Drain pasta and fold into the creamy base. Integrate grated Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned tomatoes, and half the thyme leaves. Enhance with Worcestershire sauce and a hint of nutmeg if desired.
4. Season and Adjust: Taste the mixture, fine-tuning salt and pepper levels. If the sauce appears dense, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve optimal consistency.
5. Bake and Garnish: Transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake at 220°C/425°F for 30 minutes until a golden crust forms. Meanwhile, toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and remaining thyme until rich brown.
6. Final Touch: Sprinkle crispy bacon over the dish before serving, adding a smoky crunch to the creamy pasta.

Notes

• Maximize Garlic Flavor: Mince garlic finely and sauté until light golden to release its full aromatic potential without burning.
• Perfect Roux Technique: Whisk flour and butter slowly over low heat to create a smooth base, preventing lumps and ensuring a silky sauce texture.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, helping to thin or smooth out the mac and cheese if needed.
• Crispy Topping Trick: Toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and thyme until golden brown to add a delightful crunch and extra layer of flavor to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg