Randy Chandler
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish around the world, and it's no different in Jamaica, where cooks have developed their own unique take on this comforting classic. With a few simple tweaks, you can bring a taste of the Caribbean to your macaroni and cheese. This dish is typically made with lots of cheese, some type of cream, and a variety of seasonings and spices. The Caribbean version is often baked and can be served as a main dish or as a side to complement other foods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Pasta type | Elbow macaroni, bucatini, or other choice of pasta |
| Additional ingredients | Onion, nutmeg, mustard, eggs, half-and-half, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, paprika, bacon, pimento peppers, bird's eye pepper, black pepper, salt, scallions, parsley, garlic, bell pepper, cheddar cheese, Gruyère, Parmesan, cream cheese, flour, butter, milk, evaporated milk, sugar |
| Number of cheese types | 2-3 |
| Topping | Breadcrumbs |
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What You'll Learn
Macaroni: type, preparation and cooking
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish worldwide, and Caribbean cooks have their own unique take on this classic comfort food. This dish can be served as a main or side and is easy to make with simple ingredients.
Type of Macaroni
For a traditional Jamaican-style macaroni and cheese, elbow macaroni is a good choice. However, any type of pasta can be used, and some recipes call for thick pasta such as bucatini.
Preparation
First, preheat your oven to between 350°F and 400°F. Then, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, being careful not to overcook as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Making the Sauce
In a separate saucepan, create a roux by mixing flour and butter over medium-low heat until bubbly. Next, slowly add milk to this mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Heat the milk beforehand to speed up this process. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens. You can add mustard, nutmeg, grated onion, and other seasonings to the sauce for extra flavour.
Adding the Cheese
Remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the cheese to prevent the sauce from separating. Add grated cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and smooth. A combination of cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan works well, and using multiple types of cheese adds depth of flavour.
Baking
Grease a baking dish with butter and rub with garlic. Combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce, ensuring all noodles are coated. Spread the mixture into the baking dish and top with the remaining grated cheese. A breadcrumb topping adds a crispy texture, and paprika can also be sprinkled on top. Bake for around 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
Serving
Allow the macaroni and cheese to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This dish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen before baking.
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Cheese sauce: a béchamel with cheese
To make the béchamel cheese sauce, start by making a roux. In a saucepan, mix flour and butter together over medium-low heat and cook for about 1 minute until the mixture turns blonde and bubbly. Add milk to the roux mixture slowly, stirring constantly to avoid thick lumps. You can warm the milk ahead of time to speed up the process. Cook until the milk thickens and becomes bubbly, which should take about 2 minutes. The sauce will thicken further when you add the cheese, so don't worry if it's still a little thin. Remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the cheese to prevent the sauce from separating. Add grated cheese and stir with a wooden spoon until it melts and combines with the sauce. You can briefly return the saucepan to low heat if you have trouble getting the cheese to melt.
For a Caribbean twist on the béchamel sauce, add nutmeg and mustard to the milk mixture. You can also experiment with different cheeses, herbs, spices, or heat to customise the sauce to your taste.
Once you have a smooth and creamy cheese sauce, it's time to combine it with the cooked macaroni. In a large pot or pan, fold the macaroni and cheese sauce together, making sure every noodle is coated. You can then transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and top with breadcrumbs, paprika, or additional cheese before baking in the oven.
For a heartier Caribbean version, try adding crispy bacon, diced peppers, and scallions to the macaroni mixture before baking. This creates a flavourful and satisfying dish that can be served as a main course or a side.
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Seasoning: nutmeg, mustard, salt and pepper
Jamaican-style macaroni and cheese is a flavourful and comforting dish. The seasoning is a key part of this recipe, with nutmeg, mustard, salt and pepper all playing a role in creating its unique taste.
Nutmeg is a key ingredient in Jamaican macaroni and cheese, adding a sweet and slightly spicy flavour. Grated nutmeg is typically added to the milk and mustard mixture, creating a distinctive and aromatic sauce. This sauce forms the base of the dish, so it is important to get the seasoning just right.
Mustard is another important ingredient, adding a savoury and slightly tangy flavour to the dish. The type of mustard used can vary, with some recipes calling for Dijon mustard, while others suggest mustard powder. The amount of mustard added can also be adjusted to suit personal preference, with some liking a stronger mustard flavour than others.
Salt and pepper are also essential seasonings in this dish, adding depth of flavour and enhancing the other ingredients. Salt is typically added to the water when boiling the macaroni, and also used to season the sauce. Black pepper is often added to the sauce, providing a subtle kick and warmth to the dish.
The combination of these seasonings creates a unique and delicious flavour profile for Jamaican-style macaroni and cheese. It is a simple dish that can be adapted to personal preference, with some opting to add extra spices or herbs to create an even more robust flavour.
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Toppings: breadcrumbs, paprika, extra cheese
Breadcrumbs are a classic topping for mac and cheese, adding a golden, crispy texture to contrast with the soft, cheesy pasta. To make a basic breadcrumb topping, melt butter in a frying pan, add a clove of crushed garlic, and sauté over low heat for 30 seconds. Then, add the breadcrumbs and chopped parsley, and cook until the breadcrumbs are slightly toasted. Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and pour the cheese sauce over it, stirring to coat. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over, and bake for 10-15 minutes.
For an extra-crunchy topping, you can use panko breadcrumbs, which are drier and flakier than regular breadcrumbs, creating a lighter, crunchier crust. You can mix panko with butter, Parmesan, and paprika to create a topping that crisps up beautifully and turns a nice golden brown when baked.
If you want to add even more cheese to your mac and cheese, you can sprinkle shredded cheese over the pasta before adding the breadcrumb topping and baking. Using three types of cheese in your sauce can also take your mac and cheese to the next level.
When making mac and cheese, remember not to overbake it, as this can dry out the sauce. Aim for a rich and gooey sauce with a crispy topping.
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Baking: temperature, timings, serving
The oven should be preheated to somewhere between 350°F and 400°F. The macaroni cheese should then be baked for around 25 to 40 minutes. It is ready when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in colour. It should be left to cool for around 10 minutes before serving.
Some recipes suggest making a topping by spreading a layer of breadcrumbs and grated cheese over the macaroni mixture before baking. This topping will add a golden, crispy texture to contrast with the soft pasta.
The macaroni cheese can be served as a main dish or as a side to complement other foods. It can be cut into squares or scooped out of the dish.
This dish can also be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen before baking.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need macaroni, butter, flour, milk, mustard, nutmeg, onion, salt, pepper, cheese, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce.
No, you can use any type of pasta. However, macaroni is the most commonly used pasta for this dish.
This is really up to you. A combination of cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan is popular, but you can use any cheese you like.
The prep time is around 10 minutes, and the dish should be baked in the oven for around 30 minutes.
Yes, you can prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it. When you're ready to serve, add the Parmesan and panko mixture, then bake.
